Mobile wallets that allow you to pay using your phone have been around for well more than a decade, and over those years they’ve grown in popularity, becoming a key part of consumers’ credit card usage. According to a "state of credit card report" for 2025 from credit bureau Experian, 53% of Americans in a survey say they use digital wallets more frequently than traditional payment methods. To further incentivize mobile wallet usage, some credit card issuers offer bonus rewards when you elect to pay that way. But those incentives can go beyond just higher reward rates. In fact, mobile wallets in some ways are becoming an essential part of activating and holding a credit card. For example, they can offer immediate access to your credit line, and they can be easier and safer than paying with a physical card. OK, but let's start with bonus rewards From a rewards perspective, it can make a lot of sense to reach for your phone now instead of your physical card. The Apple Card offers its highest reward rates when you use it through the Apple Pay mobile wallet. Same goes for the PayPal Cashback Mastercard® when you use it to make purchases via the PayPal digital wallet. The Kroger grocery store giant has a co-branded credit card that earns the most when you pay using an eligible digital wallet, and some major credit cards with quarterly rotating bonus categories have a history of incentivizing digital wallet use. But again, these days it's not just about the rewards. Instant credit access Mobile wallets like Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and PayPal can offer immediate access to your credit line while you wait for your physical card to arrive after approval. Indeed, most major issuers including Bank of America®, Capital One and Chase now offer instant virtual credit card numbers for eligible cards that can be used upon approval by adding them to a digital wallet. Additionally, many co-branded credit cards — those offered in partnership with another brand — commonly offer instant card access and can be used immediately on in-brand purchases. Credit cards typically take seven to 10 days to arrive after approval, so instant access to your credit line can be particularly useful if you need to make an urgent or unexpected purchase. Plus, they allow you to start spending toward a card’s sign-up bonus right away. Convenience and safety As issuers push toward mobile payments, a growing number of merchants and businesses are similarly adopting the payment method. The percentage of U.S. businesses that used digital wallets increased to 62% in 2023, compared to 47% the previous year, according to a 2023 survey commissioned by the Federal Reserve Financial Services. Wider acceptance is potentially good news for the average American, who according to Experian has about four credit cards. While that won’t necessarily weigh down your wallet, it can be hard to manage multiple cards and rewards categories at once. Mobile wallets offer a more efficient way to store and organize all of your workhorse cards, while not having to carry around ones that you don't use often. They can also help you more easily monitor your spending and rewards, and some even track your orders' status and arrival time. Plus, paying with a digital wallet offers added security. That’s because it uses technology called tokenization when you pay, which masks your real credit card number and instead sends an encrypted "token" that’s unique to each payment. This is unlike swiping or dipping a physical card, during which your credit card number is more directly accessible. And again, because a mobile wallet doesn't require you to have your physical cards present, there's less chance of one falling out of your pocket or purse. More From NerdWallet Should You Donate Your Points and Miles to Charity? Need Credit Card Debt Relief? Debt Management Could Help If You’re in Credit Card Debt, Forget About Rewards Funto Omojola writes for NerdWallet. Email: fomojola@nerdwallet.com . The article Activating Your Credit Card? Don’t Skip the Mobile Wallet Step originally appeared on NerdWallet.
The battle over elk on private lands in Montana is heading to the state Supreme Court. On Nov. 19, the United Property Owners of Montana (UPOM) with the high court regarding its lawsuit against the state Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the Fish and Wildlife Commission over elk management. In the notice, the group challenged the final judgement and “all previous orders, rulings, and decisions excepted or objected which led up to and resulted in the Final Judgement.” An FWP spokesman refused to comment on ongoing litigation as did the agency’s attorney. “We feel the district court judge did not address the key question of whether the law requires FWP to manage big game populations to objective levels, and to use every tool available to do so,” said Chuck Denowh, policy director for UPOM. “We’re confident that the Supreme Court will answer this question, and provide the need of relief to the Montana landowners who are suffering from FWP‘s inaction.” A landowners' group is appealing a District Court judge's ruling in a lawsuit over the state's management of elk. UPOM is a nonprofit that touts ties to ranchers, landowners and outfitters. The group sued FWP and the commission in 2022 to compel the agency to “remove, harvest, or eliminate thousands of elk this year” citing damages that caused “an economic crisis” for its members. In September, Tenth Judicial District Court Judge Gregory Todd ruled FWP and the commission had “considered the concerns of private landowners” and were managing for a “sustainable elk population,” the Montana Free Press reported. Judge Todd shot down UPOM’s request seeking to require FWP to reduce elk populations, saying Montana statutes “do not provide the ‘clear legal duty’ to cull elk herds to UPOM’s objectives.” “The obligation of FWP and the Commission is not to kill thousands of elk, but rather to manage their objectives,” . “The standard is to use discretion to facilitate reducing and maintaining elk at their objective levels. If the State had no discretion, there would be no need for an elk management plan.” Denowh disagreed. “We’ve asked that FWP use every tool available to bring elk populations down to a reasonable level,” he said. “They’ve refused to do so, resulting in our lawsuit and now this appeal to the Montana Supreme Court.” Seven Montana sporting groups and public access advocates successfully petitioned the court to intervene in the lawsuit, which UPOM has also challenged. Frank Szollosi, executive director of the intervening Montana Wildlife Federation, said the groups are willing to do whatever it takes to defend science-driven, equitable elk management and licensing. He admitted some landowners experience game damage as elk populations have grown, but disagrees with UPOM’s suggestions for reducing elk numbers. Szollosi said his group has worked with agricultural producers in the past to find solutions and will continue to do so. Yet Denowh said, “Central Montana landowners are being asked to shoulder an inordinate burden with big game populations that are far in excess of the target populations set by FWP. It’s costing them millions in lost feed and forage every year.” The largest population of elk in central Montana is in Hunting Districts 411 and 535, next to the Big Snowy Mountains, where large landowners control access to a herd that numbered around 10,300 in 2023, within FWP’s management goals. Wildlife such as deer and elk on such properties are touted as selling points for ranches when they are listed, boosting a property’s price especially if access is exclusive. Meanwhile, outfitters sell trophy bull elk hunts for $6,000 to $12,500 each on lands where they claim exclusive access. Killing cow elk is the recognized way to reduce elk populations, since they produce offspring. However, outfitting for cow elk doesn’t generate the same amount of revenue. More recently, FWP has identified chronic wasting disease (CWD) infecting individual elk across the state. The always fatal disease is spread by contact with an infected animal’s bodily fluids. Agricultural fields where elk congregate are more likely to see the disease spread. Emily Mitchell, an FWP biologist, said CWD may be more prevalent in the state’s elk population than known since so few animals have been tested. There is no test for the disease in live animals. “I think we have such a small sample size of elk that it isn't that it's new on the landscape, we just hadn't gotten enough samples to detect it yet,” Mitchell said last month. In 2024, Montana estimated the state’s elk population at 145,000, an increase of about 1.700 from the previous year. The state’s population goal is between 96,000 to 151,400. Thirty hunting districts, out of 138 were over FWP’s population goals, which are set based on landowner tolerance. Region 3, in southwest Montana, has the largest concentration of elk in the state, estimated at about 54,600 animals in 2023. One of the biggest herds in the state is in Region 3’s Gravelly Mountains, last estimated at more than 8,500 animals. In a Western Landowners Alliance article published last May, Granger Ranch operations manager estimated the costs of feeding about 600 elk during the 2021-22 winter on the Region 3 ranch at $32,400 in lost crop productivity. UPOM’s appeal comes as Cory Swanson is waiting in the wings to be sworn in as the new Montana Supreme Court chief justice. Denowh’s political lobbying company, The Montana Group, was one of the to Swanson’s campaign. Swanson has worked as the Broadwater County attorney since 2014. Gov. Greg Gianforte also appointed a new director to lead FWP, Christy Clark, who has been the director of the state Department of Agriculture. Clark’s family ranches in the Choteau area where she also served as a Republican legislator for three terms. In the 2021 session, attempted to weigh in to the elk dispute with proposals to give landowners more freedom in providing hunting tags to people of their choice and may seek to again this session, Szollosi worried. So far, hunting groups have been successful in keeping wildlife a public resource in the state. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Outdoors Editor {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
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ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 25th Dec, 2024) Fund for Development (ADFD) has announced an additional of 147 (US$40 ) to support the completion of the Velana International project in the . This follows an earlier of AED183.5 (US$50 ) provided in for the project’s initial phases, highlighting the ’s vital role in driving tourism, a key pillar of the Maldivian economy. The financing was signed by Mohamed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of ADFD; and Moosa Zameer, Minister of Finance in the . Several officials both sides were present at the signing ceremony. Mohamed Saif Al Suwaidi said, “This funding reflects the critical role of ADFD in driving economic and social development in partner countries through transformative infrastructure projects. The additional support for the modernisation and expansion of the Velana International will promote the ’ growth, as it increases capacity to meet the rising demand a thriving tourism sector.” He added that these efforts align with the Maldivian ’s development objectives. “ADFD is committed to deepening its partnership with the of the , collaborating on impactful initiatives that fulfill the aspirations of the Maldivian people, generate opportunities, and drive sustainable development. ” Expressing gratitude to the and ADFD for their continuous support in promoting sustainable development in the , Moosa Zameer emphasised the shared commitment to advancing sustainable development in his country. “The ADFD funding is instrumental in establishing a state-of-the-art international equipped with world-class services and technologies. This marks a major milestone in achieving our national goals of developing infrastructure in the transport sector, enhancing the experience, and boosting tourism revenues – key pillars of our national economy,” he pointed out. The Velana International development project will be expanded to accommodate up to 26 gates for passenger access to aircraft, in addition to a building for international flights. The new expansion will accommodate the increase in the total capacity of the , which is expected to reach 7.5 passengers annually. Abu Dhabi Fund for Development has been actively contributing since 1976 to supporting and financing many strategic projects in the . These projects have played a significant role in improving the quality of life for local communities by developing vital sectors such as transportation, energy, tourism, and .A Democratic state representative in Florida announced she was switching to the Republican Party just over a month after getting reelected—fortifying the GOP’s considerable grasp on the state’s legislature. Rep. Susan Valdés, who was recently re-elected in November for her final term representing parts of the Tampa metropolitan area, announced her party switch in a post on X on Monday, insisting she would not “waste my final two years in the Florida Legislature being ignored in a caucus whose leadership expects me to ignore the needs of my community.” Valdés’ departure from the Democratic Party comes only one week after she lost an election for chair of the Hillsborough County Democratic Party, Florida House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell said in her own statement slamming the move as a “bait-and-switch.” Before the election in November, Valdés was an outspoken critic of President-elect Donald Trump and attended local events for Kamala Harris, the Tampa Bay Times reported. She even penned an op-ed in the newspaper only a year earlier comparing the Republican-lead government of Florida to the dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista in Cuba. Valdés seemed to address some of this disconnect in her statement on Monday, telling her constituents “I know I won’t agree with my fellow Republican House members on every issue, but I know that in their caucus, I will be welcomed and treated with respect.” See statement below... pic.twitter.com/JUVhsziSL7 The man arrested in connection with UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s killing last week looked directly into the camera for his mugshot after being taken into custody in Altoona, Pennsylvania Monday. Luigi Mangione was photographed after being escorted by cops to his preliminary arraignment in Hollidaysburg, less than 10 miles from the city of Altoona, where he was taken into custody. He was seen in the mugshot wearing a black scarf and coat, flashing a steely-eyed stare at the camera. After a tip from a McDonald’s worker in the city, police closed in and arrested Luigi Mangione. He has been charged with five crimes, including carrying a gun without a license, forgery, falsely identifying himself to the authorities and possessing “instruments of crime,” according to The New York Times . “Responding officers questioned the suspect, who was acting suspiciously and carrying multiple fraudulent IDs as well as a U.S. passport,” New York City Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch told reporters Monday. “Upon further investigation, officers recovered a firearm on his person, as well as a suppressor, both consistent with the weapon used in the murder.” Not everyone wants to be a tipsy elf during the holidays. Increasingly, people are searching for alcohol alternatives that have relaxing benefits with fewer negative effects. That’s the intention behind Cycling Frog’s THC Seltzers. They are made with cannabis extracts for a lighter buzz than marijuana products normally offer. That makes them ideal for both experienced users and newcomers to enjoy. This season, they come in three holiday flavors, each only 60 calories with 0% alcohol. The star of the season is the Cran Razz THC Seltzer (6-Pack) , which offers 10 mg. of THC per can. That is double the amount of the other seltzers making it a great option for people with cannabis experience. An industry favorite, the Black Currant THC Seltzer, (6-Pack) received a gold medal at the 2024 LA Spirits “High Spirits” Awards. This flavor is sweet and tart with 5 mg. of THC per can. Wild Cherry THC Seltzer (6-Pack) was crafted for the holiday season. It also contains 5 mg. of THC per can with sour cherry and pear flavors. If you buy something from this post, we may earn a small commission. Beyoncé ’s mom Tina Knowles has raised eyebrows by “liking” an Instagram post reporting that her son-in-law Shawn Carter (better known as Jay-Z ) had been named in a rape lawsuit involving a 13-year-old and incarcerated former mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs , according to Page Six . The Knowles matriarch was screenshotted having tapped the heart icon on the post by ABC7 Chicago, which had a photo of Combs and Jay-Z with the headline, “Jay-Z, Diddy Named In Lawsuit Alleging Rape of Girl, 13.” Page Six was able to verify that Knowles’ official Instagram account had liked the post, but could not reach her for comment. The unexpected social media move by Knowles follows years of her supporting her daughter’s marriage to the rapper in the press . It also follows the infamous Knowles family elevator fight in 2014, in which Beyoncé’s sister Solange attacked the rapper on an elevator with Beyoncé present. That incident was never addressed publicly by Jay-Z or the family. Jay-Z has responded to the rape allegations in the new lawsuit, however, with a public statement in which he called the suit a “ blackmail attempt ” by the plaintiff’s lawyer, Tony Buzbee, and vehemently denied the claims. Pope Francis has sparked a new wave of concern for his health after appearing with a black bruise and a swollen neck at a Vatican event. Francis, who turns 88 later this month, appeared at the ceremony Saturday to appoint new cardinals. The Vatican later said in a statement that Francis had a minor fall and hit his chin on the bedside table. At the ceremony, the pontiff did not appear affected by the injury. He has struggled with health issues in the past and currently uses a wheelchair because of knee and back pain. He was hospitalized earlier this year due to breathing issues and also underwent surgery to repair an abdominal hernia. Francis’ predecessor, Pope Benedict, relinquished his post in 2013 at the age of 85, citing declining health. Benedict was the first pope in 600 years to resign. Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. As any true audiophile already knows, Amazon Music Unlimited has long been a reliable destination for an elevated listening experience. With millions of high-quality songs and an unparalleled collection of top ad-free podcasts, the platform’s catalog is curated to capture both your attention and your imagination. Now, Amazon is raising the bar with an exciting update: Audible is officially joining Amazon Music Unlimited, cementing the brand’s status as an all-in-one audio hub . Audible’s industry-leading catalog of audiobooks features an expansive selection of can’t-miss bestsellers, hot-off-the-press exclusives, and timeless classics to immerse yourself in. As an Amazon Music Unlimited subscriber, you’ll be free to select one book each month (of any length) and listen to it directly in the Amazon Music app . Whether you’re a fiction buff ready to dive into a thrilling new adventure or a non-fiction enthusiast looking to expand your horizons, Audible’s expansive collection is sure to have the right title that matches your tastes. Plus, when you’re ready to take a break from the book, you can seamlessly swap back to your favorite tunes and podcast episodes —all without having to leave the app. It’s all the audio that you’ll ever need, all in one place! Best of all, this game-changing update is arriving just in time for the holiday season: start a new subscription , and enjoy your first three months of Amazon Music Unlimited, completely for free. Audio art, conversation, and storytelling—all in one place. What’s not to love? Sign up today and get lost in the sound . Hope Walz claimed Joe Rogan fans are a relationship “red flag.” The 23-year-old daughter of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz , shared her dating tip for screening men online with her nearly 200,000 followers on TikTok. “A litmus test for me and my friends for like years now has been if the guy we’re talking to follows Joe Rogan on Instagram, they’re a red flag and we should probably stop talking to them,” Walz said on Saturday. “And the times when they do follow him on Instagram and we haven’t stopped talking to them... it’s never ended well.” Rogan, a popular and controversial podcaster, hosts an eponymous show. Men make up 80 percent of his listeners. Walz’s anti-Rogan rule, she alleged has “never failed” her and her friends. “If they follow him we’re like, yeah, this person probably isn’t a great person and probably our values don’t align so we’re gonna move on from that. And honestly it’s worked out well for all of us.” Ahead of the 2024 presidential election, Rogan hosted Donald Trump on his show, alongside a slew of MAGA loyalists. Ultimately the podcaster endorsed Trump over Kamala Harris and Walz’s father. A private funeral was being held on Monday for murdered UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson as police detained a suspect in the case, a source familiar with the family’s plans told NBC News . The suspect was first caught on surveillance cameras in Manhattan , and had evaded a massive police search. However, Pennsylvania police said they had detained a 26-year-old who was caught with a gun similar to the one used in the shooting. Investigators believe he was in the city for 10 days before the shooting, at one point lifting his mask to speak to a hostel employee. A photo from the camera capturing that moment has been circulated worldwide. Only Murders in the Building landed Golden Globe Award nominations for its three big stars—Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez—on Monday. But missing from the list was their supporting co-star Meryl Streep , who failed to extend her streak as the most nominated actor in the award show’s 80-year history. Streep, who plays Short’s on-screen (and possibly off-screen?) love interest, earned her 33rd Golden Globe nomination last year for Best Supporting Actress on the Hulu comedy. Gomez was a double nominee for her role in the Netflix film Emilia Pérez , which led in overall nominations with 10, followed by The Brutalist with seven and Conclave with six. Other big snubs included directors John M. Chu for Wicked: Part One and Denis Villeneuve for Dune: Part Two . Pamela Anderson was a surprise Best Actress nominee for The Last Showgirl , which the Baywatch star is hoping could lead to an Oscar nomination in the new year. President-elect Donald Trump launched a baffling claim Monday that " Democrats are fighting hard to get rid of the Popular Vote in future Elections." In a post on his Truth Social network, he added: “They want all future Presidential Elections to be based exclusively on the Electoral College !” In fact, the popular vote has in recent decades heavily favored Democrats and, this year, Trump became the first Republican to win the popular vote in 20 years. Democratic candidates have won the popular vote in five of the seven presidential elections in the 21st Century, losing two of those elections to Republicans who got fewer votes on a national level. Not only is there no Democratic effort to shore up the Electoral College, many prominent Democrats— including the party’s 2016 nominee for president Hillary Clinton , who won more votes than Trump but lost the Electoral College—have argued in favor of a popular vote for president. It is very likely that Trump and George W. Bush , who lost the 2000 popular vote to Al Gore, would have never been elected president were it not for the Electoral College. Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. If you’re looking to revamp your at-home fitness lineup ahead of 2025 and don’t have hours to commit to exercising each day, allow us to introduce you to the CAROL Bike . The science-backed and AI-powered fitness bike is engineered to give you maximum results in the shortest time possible—and by the shortest time, we mean as little as five minutes. In fact, according to the brand, the CAROL bike is “proven to deliver double the health and fitness benefits in 90 percent less time compared to regular cardio.” Free Returns | Free Shipping Not only is it a huge time-saver, but the CAROL Bike is also designed to be personalized to the rider’s individual fitness levels, goals, and preferences, making the workouts easy to follow, time-efficient, and super effective. CAROL’s AI and Reduced Exertion HIIT (REHIT) technology optimizes the workout to your ability and fitness level, so every second matters. The personalized, optimal resistance levels are automatically adjusted as you work out—at exactly the right time—making the most efficient workouts easy to follow. “ CAROL Bike is designed to maximize training efficiency, with the shortest, most effective workouts, backed by science. And new rider-inspired features that give riders more flexibility to exercise their way,” says Ulrich Dempfle, CEO & Co-Founder at CAROL. You can try the CAROL Bike for yourself risk-free for 100 days, and the brand offers free shipping (7-10 business days) in the U.S. Daniel Penny was acquitted of all criminal charges after the chokehold death of Jordan Neely on the subway—a case that sparked a debate on New York City’s mental health resources and public safety. The jury acquitted Penny of criminally negligent homicide, after throwing out the manslaughter charge on Friday when the jury twice couldn’t come to a unanimous verdict. The charge of criminally negligent homicide would’ve put Penny behind bars for four years; the manslaughter charge had a maximum of 15 years. Penny, a former Marine, put Neely, who was homeless at the time, in a chokehold for six minutes after Neely said, “someone is going to die today,” in May 2023. No witness testified that Neely touched or made any move towards another passenger, though many testified that they were afraid of Neely during his rant. He did not have a weapon on him. Prosecutors noted that Penny kept Neely in the chokehold even after the passengers had left the train. But jurors sided with Penny’s defense—that he was justified in protecting his fellow passengers in the face of an erratic homeless man, who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and previously had over two dozen encounters with the police. The defense also questioned if it was the chokehold that killed Neely. A famously lanky English soccer legend has cast his verdict on Barron Trump’s skills after a clip of the 18-year-old playing went viral again. Peter Crouch became a household name in England for his exploits on the pitch, and for his comical appearance. Crouch, now retired, towered over his opponents quite like a young Barron, who was seen playing the sport in a resurfaced clip that is doing the rounds again. In it, Barron—who is now 6-foot-9, dwarfs the other kids on the pitch as he shows off an impressive array of skills. On X, Crouch shared the clip Sunday and simply said: “Baller.” Barron is reportedly soccer mad , and instead of boozing and chasing girls at college he spends his time playing the soccer game FC25, formerly known as FIFA. He also rubbed shoulders with another former England star, Wayne Rooney, when the Manchester United legend was managing D.C. United in the MLS. “(Donald) asked me to give his son football lessons,” Rooney said. Resurfaced video shows Barron Trump playing soccer. pic.twitter.com/Ew2DkUPFUI
Starmer to visit troops serving on Russian border in push for Ukraine supportNone
West Ham surprise Newcastle with 2-0 away winHow to Watch Top 25 Women’s College Basketball Games – Tuesday, November 26 Published 4:40 pm Monday, November 25, 2024 By Data Skrive The Arizona State Sun Devils versus the Kentucky Wildcats is one of four games on the college basketball schedule on Tuesday that has a ranked team on the court. Watch women’s college basketball, other live sports and more on Fubo. What is Fubo? Fubo is a streaming service that gives you access to your favorite live sports and shows on demand. Use our link to sign up for a free trial. Today’s Top 25 Games Catch tons of live women’s college basketball , plus original programming, with ESPN+ or the Disney Bundle.
Going green | Love Field making further investment into aircraft-generated energyDelhi: The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has had a landmark year in 2024, achieving major milestones in construction, technology, and sustainability. From integrating cutting-edge ticketing solutions to registering record-breaking passenger journeys, DMRC has once again cemented its reputation as a pioneer in urban transportation. Here’s a month-by-month timeline of its accomplishments. January: Presidential Journey and Ticketing Innovations On 5 January, DMRC integrated its ticketing services into the ‘One Delhi’ app, enabling seamless travel between the Metro and city buses. Just two days later, President Droupadi Murmu became the second serving President to ride the Metro, using an NCMC RuPay card for her journey. February: Operational Advancements A new integrated Operation Control Centre (OCC) was inaugurated on 21 February at Metro Bhawan, managing operations of the Red and Yellow Lines and preparing for Phase-IV corridors. March: Expansion Approvals and Customer Service Upgrades The Union Cabinet approved two new Phase-IV corridors—Inderlok-Indraprastha and Lajpat Nagar-Saket G Block—on 4 March. DMRC launched a ‘Public Complaints Management System’ on 7 March to streamline grievance redressal. April: Gathering Passenger Feedback The 11th Online Customer Satisfaction Survey began on 7 April, aiming to gather valuable insights into commuter experiences. May: DMRC Turns 30 On 3 May, DMRC celebrated its 30th Foundation Day at Bharat Mandapam with prominent dignitaries in attendance. June: Sustainability Leadership DMRC’s headquarters achieved Carbon Neutral certification on 5 June, reinforcing its environmental commitment. The Metro also signed MoUs with Konkan Railway Corporation Limited and RITES to collaborate on transit projects. July: Technological Innovations and Global Recognition July witnessed the launch of multiple innovations, including a QR Code-based ticketing system, a digital QR ticketing partnership with Amazon Pay, and international flight check-in facilities on the Airport Express Line. On 28 July, DMRC received the prestigious Global Water Tech Award for its water conservation initiatives. August: Tunnelling Milestones and Integrated Ticketing On 21 August, DMRC completed an 865-metre underground tunnel on the Tughlakabad-Aerocity corridor and signed an MoU with NCRTC for integrated ticketing systems. September: Twin Tunnels and Eco-Friendly Travel DMRC achieved its first twin tunnel breakthrough on 18 September, connecting Derawal Nagar and Pulbangash. Earlier, on 12 September, it introduced Multiple Journey QR Tickets, promoting sustainable travel. October: Progress in Phase-IV Construction An 860-metre underground tunnel was completed on 5 October on the Tughlakabad-Aerocity corridor. On 13 October, Line-4, connecting Yamuna Bank with Vaishali, achieved Carbon Neutral certification. November: Record-Breaking Journeys and New Facilities DMRC introduced bike taxi bookings through the Momentum app on 11 November. On 15 November, the first six-coach train for Phase-IV operations arrived. Just three days later, DMRC recorded its highest single-day passenger journeys at 78.67 lakh. December: Longest Tunnel Completion On 4 December, DMRC completed its longest underground tunnel, spanning 2.65 km, as part of the Tughlakabad-Aerocity corridor in Phase-IV construction. Key Achievements "DMRC headquarters at Metro Bhavan achieved carbon neutral certification in June, further solidifying its position as a leader in sustainable urban transportation. DMRC was recognised with the prestigious Global Water Tech Award, 2024 in the organisation category in July for its outstanding environmental initiatives," said a Delhi Metro official. From groundbreaking tunnels to seamless ticketing systems, Delhi Metro’s transformative journey in 2024 underscores its commitment to sustainable, efficient, and passenger-friendly urban transportation. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Delhi and around the world.Activating Your Credit Card? Don’t Skip the Mobile Wallet Step
REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 9, 2024-- C3.ai, Inc. (“C3 AI,” “C3,” or the “Company”) (NYSE: AI), the Enterprise AI application software company, today announced financial results for its fiscal second quarter ended October 31, 2024. “We had an outstanding quarter with strong top- and bottom-line performance to mark our seventh consecutive quarter of accelerating revenue growth,” said Thomas M. Siebel, Chairman and CEO, C3 AI. “It is difficult to overstate the potential of the Microsoft–C3 AI strategic alliance,” said Siebel. “By establishing C3 AI as a preferred AI application provider on Azure and creating a Microsoft-scale go-to-market engine, we’re making it easy for businesses to adopt and deploy C3 AI applications. This is an inflection point for Enterprise AI, driving growth.” Fiscal Second Quarter 2025 Financial Highlights Microsoft Azure Strategic Alliance Partner Network C3 AI reinforced its leadership in Enterprise AI, strengthened by a thriving partner ecosystem to accelerate Enterprise AI adoption. Business Highlights C3 AI had continuing momentum with significant Federal and commercial successes and strengthened strategic partnerships. Federal Momentum Federal business demonstrated strong execution, securing key wins and expansions across multiple agencies. C3 Generative AI C3 AI further strengthens its competitive edge in generative AI, affirming its market leadership. Financial Outlook: The Company’s guidance includes GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures. The following table summarizes C3 AI’s guidance for the third quarter of fiscal 2025 and full-year fiscal 2025: (in millions) Third Quarter Fiscal 2025 Guidance Full Year Fiscal 2025 Guidance Total revenue $95.5 - $100.5 $378.0 - $398.0 Non-GAAP loss from operations $(38.6) - $(46.6) $(105.0) - $(135.0) A reconciliation of non-GAAP guidance measures to corresponding GAAP measures is not available on a forward-looking basis without unreasonable effort due to the uncertainty regarding, and the potential variability of, expenses that may be incurred in the future. Stock-based compensation expense-related charges, including employer payroll tax-related items on employee stock transactions, are impacted by the timing of employee stock transactions, the future fair market value of our common stock, and our future hiring and retention needs, all of which are difficult to predict and subject to constant change. We have provided a reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures in the financial statement tables for our historical non-GAAP results included in this press release. Our fiscal year ends April 30, and numbers are rounded for presentation purposes. Conference Call Details What: C3 AI Second Quarter Fiscal 2025 Financial Results Conference Call When: Monday, December 9, 2024 Time: 2:00 p.m. PT / 5:00 p.m. ET Participant Registration: https://register.vevent.com/register/BI383ae1e1c80b4221a65de6c2c2baf582 (live) Webcast: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/xf8dudjw (live and replay) Investor Presentation Details An investor presentation providing additional information and analysis can be found at our investor relations page at ir.c3.ai . Statement Regarding Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures The Company reports the following non-GAAP financial measures, which have not been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”), in addition to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. We use these non-GAAP financial measures internally for financial and operational decision-making purposes and as a means to evaluate period-to-period comparisons. Non-GAAP financial measures are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for comparable GAAP financial measures and should be read only in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. Our presentation of non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies. We encourage investors to carefully consider our results under GAAP, as well as our supplemental non-GAAP information and the reconciliation between these presentations, to more fully understand our business. Please see the tables included at the end of this release for the reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures. Other Information Professional Services Revenue Our professional services revenue includes service fees and prioritized engineering services. Service fees include revenue from services such as consulting, training, and paid implementation services. For service fees, revenue is typically recognized over time as the services are performed. Prioritized engineering services are undertaken when a customer requests that we accelerate the design, development, and delivery of software features and functions that are planned in our future product roadmap. When we agree to this, we negotiate an agreed upon fee to accelerate the development of the software. When the software feature is delivered, it becomes integrated to our core product offering, is available to all subscribers of the underlying software product, and enhances the operation of that product going forward. Such prioritized engineering services result in production-level computer software – compiled code that enhances the functionality of our production products – which is available for our customers to use over the life of their software licenses. Per Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 606, Prioritized engineering services revenue is recognized as professional services over the period in which the software development is completed. Total professional services revenue consists of: Three Months Ended October 31, Six Months Ended October 31, 2024 2023 2024 2023 (in thousands) (in thousands) Prioritized engineering services $ 9,661 $ 4,852 $ 20,310 $ 13,100 Service fees 3,515 1,928 6,623 4,690 Total professional services revenue $ 13,176 $ 6,780 $ 26,933 $ 17,790 Use of Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “will” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our market leadership position, anticipated benefits from our partnerships, financial outlook, our sales and customer opportunity pipeline including our industry diversification, the expected benefits of our offerings (including the potential benefits of our C3 Generative AI offerings), and our business strategies, plans, and objectives for future operations. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, short-term and long-term business operations and objectives, and financial needs. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including our history of losses and ability to achieve and maintain profitability in the future, our historic dependence on a limited number of existing customers that account for a substantial portion of our revenue, our ability to attract new customers and retain existing customers, market awareness and acceptance of enterprise AI solutions in general and our products in particular, the length and unpredictability of our sales cycles and the time and expense required for our sales efforts. Some of these risks are described in greater detail in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended July 31, 2024 and, when available, October 31, 2024, although new and unanticipated risks may arise. The future events and trends discussed in this press release may not occur and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance, achievements, or events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will occur. Except to the extent required by law, we do not undertake to update any of these forward-looking statements after the date of this press release to conform these statements to actual results or revised expectations. About C3.ai, Inc. C3.ai, Inc. (NYSE:AI) is the Enterprise AI application software company. C3 AI delivers a family of fully integrated products including the C3 AI Platform, an end-to-end platform for developing, deploying, and operating enterprise AI applications, C3 AI applications, a portfolio of industry-specific SaaS enterprise AI applications that enable the digital transformation of organizations globally, and C3 Generative AI, a suite of domain-specific generative AI offerings for the enterprise. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (In thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended October Six Months Ended October 31, 2024 2024 2023 2024 2023 Revenue Subscription (1) $ 81,162 $ 66,449 $ 154,618 $ 127,801 Professional services (2) 13,176 6,780 26,933 17,790 Total revenue 94,338 73,229 181,551 145,591 Cost of revenue Subscription 35,038 30,937 68,330 61,371 Professional services 1,460 1,179 3,215 2,558 Total cost of revenue 36,498 32,116 71,545 63,929 Gross profit 57,840 41,113 110,006 81,662 Operating expenses Sales and marketing (3) 55,643 49,895 107,768 93,780 Research and development 55,715 50,399 108,642 101,267 General and administrative 21,770 20,215 41,470 40,104 Total operating expenses 133,128 120,509 257,880 235,151 Loss from operations (75,288 ) (79,396 ) (147,874 ) (153,489 ) Interest income 9,560 10,480 19,563 20,602 Other income (expense), net 13 (638 ) 41 (877 ) Loss before provision for income taxes (65,715 ) (69,554 ) (128,270 ) (133,764 ) Provision for income taxes 257 226 529 374 Net loss $ (65,972 ) $ (69,780 ) $ (128,799 ) $ (134,138 ) Net loss per share attributable to Class A and Class B common stockholders, basic and diluted $ (0.52 ) $ (0.59 ) $ (1.02 ) $ (1.15 ) Weighted-average shares used in computing net loss per share attributable to Class A and Class B common stockholders, basic and diluted 127,870 118,656 126,434 117,125 (1) Including related party revenue of $10,581 for the six months ended October 31, 2023. (2) Including related party revenue of $5,804 for the six months ended October 31, 2023. (3) Including related party sales and marketing expense of $810 for the six months ended October 31, 2023. C3.AI, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands, except for share and per share data) (Unaudited) October 31, 2024 April 30, 2024 Assets Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 121,274 $ 167,146 Marketable securities 609,100 583,221 Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $486 and $359 as of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, respectively 159,987 130,064 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 27,458 23,963 Total current assets 917,819 904,394 Property and equipment, net 84,198 88,631 Goodwill 625 625 Other assets, non-current 43,647 44,575 Total assets $ 1,046,289 $ 1,038,225 Liabilities and stockholders’ equity Current liabilities Accounts payable $ 20,611 $ 11,316 Accrued compensation and employee benefits 41,755 44,263 Deferred revenue, current 35,663 37,230 Accrued and other current liabilities 23,979 9,526 Total current liabilities 122,008 102,335 Deferred revenue, non-current 127 1,732 Other long-term liabilities 65,193 60,805 Total liabilities 187,328 164,872 Commitments and contingencies Stockholders’ equity Class A common stock 125 120 Class B common stock 3 3 Additional paid-in capital 2,077,044 1,963,726 Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) 521 (563 ) Accumulated deficit (1,218,732 ) (1,089,933 ) Total stockholders’ equity 858,961 873,353 Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 1,046,289 $ 1,038,225 C3.AI, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (In thousands) (Unaudited) Six Months Ended October 31, 2024 2023 Cash flows from operating activities: Net loss $ (128,799 ) $ (134,138 ) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities Depreciation and amortization 6,092 6,220 Non-cash operating lease cost 203 454 Stock-based compensation expense 111,721 104,049 Accretion of discounts on marketable securities (7,618 ) (8,755 ) Other 418 — Changes in operating assets and liabilities Accounts receivable (1) (30,051 ) (8,567 ) Prepaid expenses, other current assets and other assets (2) (1,993 ) (665 ) Accounts payable (3) 9,294 (2,918 ) Accrued compensation and employee benefits (4,815 ) (2,551 ) Operating lease liabilities (1,215 ) 7,804 Other liabilities (4) 19,284 1,709 Deferred revenue (5) (3,172 ) (7,296 ) Net cash used in operating activities (30,651 ) (44,654 ) Cash flows from investing activities: Purchases of property and equipment (1,739 ) (16,631 ) Capitalized software development costs — (2,750 ) Purchases of marketable securities (365,926 ) (489,871 ) Maturities and sales of marketable securities 348,750 412,554 Net cash used in investing activities (18,915 ) (96,698 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from issuance of Class A common stock under employee stock purchase plan 5,009 5,055 Proceeds from exercise of Class A common stock options 4,472 10,163 Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards (5,787 ) (9,686 ) Net cash provided by financing activities 3,694 5,532 Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (45,872 ) (135,820 ) Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period 179,712 297,395 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period $ 133,840 $ 161,575 Cash and cash equivalents $ 121,274 $ 149,009 Restricted cash included in other assets 12,566 12,566 Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 133,840 $ 161,575 Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information—cash paid for income taxes $ 534 $ 281 Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities: Purchases of property and equipment included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 117 $ 7,293 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations (including remeasurement of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities due to changes in the timing of receipt of lease incentives) $ 1,345 $ 778 Vesting of early exercised stock options $ 216 $ 294 (1) Including changes in related party balances of $12,444 for the six months ended October 31, 2023. (2) Including changes in related party balances of $(810) for the six months ended October 31, 2023. (3) Including changes in related party balances of $248 for the six months ended October 31, 2023. (4) Including changes in related party balances of $(2,448) for the six months ended October 31, 2023. (5) Including changes in related party balances of $(46) for the six months ended October 31, 2023. C3.AI, INC. RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (In thousands, except percentages) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended October 31, Six Months Ended October 31, 2024 2023 2024 2023 Reconciliation of GAAP gross profit to non-GAAP gross profit: Gross profit on a GAAP basis $ 57,840 $ 41,113 $ 110,006 $ 81,662 Stock-based compensation expense (1) 8,311 8,993 16,719 17,509 Employer payroll tax expense related to employee stock-based compensation (2) 171 297 527 838 Gross profit on a non-GAAP basis $ 66,322 $ 50,403 $ 127,252 $ 100,009 Gross margin on a GAAP basis 61 % 56 % 61 % 56 % Gross margin on a non-GAAP basis 70 % 69 % 70 % 69 % Reconciliation of GAAP loss from operations to non-GAAP loss from operations: Loss from operations on a GAAP basis $ (75,288 ) $ (79,396 ) $ (147,874 ) $ (153,489 ) Stock-based compensation expense (1) 57,038 53,169 111,721 104,049 Employer payroll tax expense related to employee stock-based compensation (2) 1,090 1,274 2,362 3,774 Loss from operations on a non-GAAP basis $ (17,160 ) $ (24,953 ) $ (33,791 ) $ (45,666 ) Reconciliation of GAAP net loss per share to non-GAAP net loss per share: Net loss on a GAAP basis $ (65,972 ) $ (69,780 ) $ (128,799 ) $ (134,138 ) Stock-based compensation expense (1) 57,038 53,169 111,721 104,049 Employer payroll tax expense related to employee stock-based compensation (2) 1,090 1,274 2,362 3,774 Net loss on a non-GAAP basis $ (7,844 ) $ (15,337 ) $ (14,716 ) $ (26,315 ) GAAP net loss per share attributable to Class A and Class B common shareholders, basic and diluted $ (0.52 ) $ (0.59 ) $ (1.02 ) $ (1.15 ) Non-GAAP net loss per share attributable to Class A and Class B common shareholders, basic and diluted $ (0.06 ) $ (0.13 ) $ (0.12 ) $ (0.22 ) Weighted-average shares used in computing net loss per share attributable to Class A and Class B common stockholders, basic and diluted 127,870 118,656 126,434 117,125 (1) Stock-based compensation expense for gross profits and gross margin includes costs of subscription and cost of professional services as follows. Stock-based compensation expense for loss from operations includes total stock-based compensation expense as follows: Three Months Ended October 31, Six Months Ended October 31, 2024 2023 2024 2023 Cost of subscription $ 7,827 $ 8,514 $ 15,521 $ 16,570 Cost of professional services 484 479 1,198 939 Sales and marketing 20,802 18,226 39,635 35,005 Research and development 17,999 16,685 36,430 33,718 General and administrative 9,926 9,265 18,937 17,817 Total stock-based compensation expense $ 57,038 $ 53,169 $ 111,721 $ 104,049 (2) Employer payroll tax expense related to employee stock-based compensation for gross profits and gross margin includes costs of subscription and cost of professional services as follows. Employer payroll tax expense related to employee stock-based compensation for loss from operations includes total employer payroll tax expense related to employee stock-based compensation as follows: Three Months Ended October 31, Six Months Ended October 31, 2024 2023 2024 2023 Cost of subscription $ 163 $ 282 $ 489 $ 791 Cost of professional services 8 15 38 47 Sales and marketing 450 463 922 1,468 Research and development 231 415 595 1,232 General and administrative 238 99 318 236 Total employer payroll tax expense $ 1,090 $ 1,274 $ 2,362 $ 3,774 Reconciliation of free cash flow to the GAAP measure of net cash used in operating activities: The following table below provides a reconciliation of free cash flow to the GAAP measure of net cash used in operating activities for the periods presented: Three Months Ended October 31, Six Months Ended October 31, 2024 2023 2024 2023 Net cash used in operating activities $ (38,693 ) $ (48,590 ) $ (30,651 ) $ (44,654 ) Less: Purchases of property and equipment (815 ) (5,293 ) (1,739 ) (16,631 ) Capitalized software development costs — (1,250 ) — (2,750 ) Free cash flow $ (39,508 ) $ (55,133 ) $ (32,390 ) $ (64,035 ) Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities $ 22,635 $ (11,898 ) $ (18,915 ) $ (96,698 ) Net cash provided by financing activities $ 3,512 $ 3,055 $ 3,694 $ 5,532 View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241209723558/en/ CONTACT: Investor Contact ir@c3.aiC3 AI Public Relations Edelman Lisa Kennedy (415) 914-8336 pr@c3.ai KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SOURCE: C3.ai Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/09/2024 04:05 PM/DISC: 12/09/2024 04:06 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241209723558/en Copyright Business Wire 2024.A recent study that recommended toxic chemicals in black plastic products be immediately thrown away included a math error that significantly overstated the risks of contamination, but its authors are standing by their conclusions and warn against using such products. Published in the peer-reviewed journal Chemosphere , experts from the nonprofit Toxic-Free Future said they detected flame retardants and other toxic chemicals in 85% of 203 items made of black plastic including kitchen utensils , take-out containers, children's toys and hair accessories. In a blog post, Joe Schwarcz, director of McGill University's Office for Science and Society in Canada, explained that the Toxin-Free Future scientists miscalculated the lower end of what the EPA considered a health risk through a multiplication error. Instead of humans being potentially exposed to a dose of toxic chemicals in black plastic utensils near the minimum level that the EPA deems a health risk, it's actually about one-tenth of that. (Dreamstime/TNS) The study initially said the potential exposure to chemicals found in one of the kitchen utensils approached the minimum levels the Environmental Protection Agency deemed a health risk. But in an update to the study, the authors say they made an error in their calculations and the real levels were "an order of magnitude lower" than the EPA's thresholds. The error was discovered by Joe Schwarcz, director of McGill University's Office for Science and Society in Canada. In a blog post, Schwarcz explained that the Toxin-Free Future scientists miscalculated the lower end of what the EPA considered a health risk through a multiplication error. Instead of humans being potentially exposed to a dose of toxic chemicals in black plastic utensils near the minimum level that the EPA deems a health risk, it's actually about one-tenth of that. Though Schwarcz said the risks outlined in the study aren't enough for him to discard his black plastic kitchen items if he had them, he agreed with the authors that flame retardants shouldn't be in these products in the first place. "The math error does not impact the study's findings, conclusions or recommendations," said Megan Liu, a co-author of the study who is the science and policy manager for Toxic-Free Future . She added that any traces of flame retardants or toxic chemicals in cooking utensils should be concerning for the public. Flame retardants are getting into commonly used items because black-colored products are being made from recycled electronic waste, such as discarded television sets and computers, that frequently contain the additives. When they're heated, the flame retardants and other toxic chemicals can migrate out. If you're wondering whether your old black plastic spoon or other utensils are a part of this group, Liu shared some more guidance. Generally, how do I know a product is harmful? It's nearly impossible to know whether a black plastic product is contaminated. That's because these products that include recycled e-waste don't disclose a detailed list of all ingredients and contaminants in the product. Liu said it's also unclear how many types of flame retardants are in these black plastic products. Some of the products that researchers tested in this recent study "had up to nine different harmful chemicals and harmful flame retardants in them," she said. How can I find out if black plastic food trays are made with recycled contaminated plastic? Anytime you're looking for the type of recycled plastic a product is made of you're going to look for a number within the chasing arrows (that form a triangle) logo. Recycling symbols are numbered 1 to 7 and we commonly associate the numbers with what we can toss in our blue recycling bins. The 1 through 7 numbers stand for, respectively, polyethylene terephthalate, high-density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), low-density polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene or Styrofoam, and miscellaneous plastics (including polycarbonate, polylactide, acrylic, acrylonitrile butadiene, styrene, fiberglass and nylon). The study found higher levels of toxic flame retardants in polystyrene plastic, which is labeled with the number 6, said Liu. When did recycled e-waste begin contaminating black plastic products? There isn't a definitive timeline of when recycled electronic-waste started to be incorporated into black plastic products specifically, but e-waste started to get recycled in the early 2000s, Liu said. The way computers, cellphones, stereos, printers and copiers were being disposed of previously was to simply add them to a landfill without reusing salvageable parts. But as the National Conference of State Legislatures notes, electronics production required a significant amount of resources that could be recovered through recycling. Recovering resources such as metals, plastics and glass through recycling used a fraction of the energy needed to mine new materials. However, the study pointed out that flame retardants and other chemical contaminates have been detected in and near e-waste recycling facilities, in indoor air and dust at formal e-waste recycling facilities in Canada, China, Spain and the U.S. It also noted contamination in soil samples surrounding e-waste recycling sites in China and Vietnam. What are safer alternatives? The safest nontoxic material options for kitchen utensil are wood and stainless steel. The 20th century brought airplanes, radio, television, the internet, and plastic. Lots of plastic. That plastic is now showing up on shorelines, forming islands in oceans, and generating mountains of translucent trash on land. Around 700 species of animals in the sea have been found to interact with plastic daily. Companies across every industry face pressure to reduce the amount of plastic they produce. Seventy-two percent of the world's largest have made voluntary commitments to reduce their plastic waste, according to a Duke University analysis. One industry, in particular, has greatly benefited from advancements in single-use plastic technology: the medical industry. Only in recent years have businesses and academics in the field begun to talk about minimizing their impact on our environment like beverage manufacturers and other consumer goods-producing businesses. Medical Technology Schools analyzed academic studies published in the National Library of Medicine , the American Medical Association , and news reports to shed light on the medical community's use of plastics through history, their environmental problems, and proposed solutions to reduce their impact. And the impact can be significant. A single hospital patient generates nearly 34 pounds of waste a day —as much as a quarter of it is plastic. The COVID-19 pandemic only worsened the problem. The pandemic pushed hospital capacity to the brink and led to a massive increase in personal protective equipment and medical supply usage. Medical-grade masks and other protective equipment like face shields, made mostly of nonrenewable plastics, were in high demand. In 2020, the World Health Organization estimated that the international need for PPE manufacturing would boost 40% to address the public health crisis. Hospitals needed an estimated 89 million masks, 76 million gloves, and 1.6 million goggles every month of the pandemic. To date, nearly 677 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered, each requiring their own plastic syringe, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Global consulting firm Frost & Sullivan estimated that the U.S. would produce a year's worth of medical waste in just two months due to the pandemic. The World Economic Forum warned that the COVID-19 crisis threatened to " stall and even reverse progress " to reduce large plastic waste. It's a challenge researchers acknowledge today as they search for solutions. Plastics introduced an era of ultraconvenience to the world. It makes our clothes. It's made bike helmets and airbags possible. And it's a cheap material to produce, meaning it's cheap for consumers too. Almost as importantly, it's durable and incredibly easy to make into complex shapes—a trait that helped plastics invented in the mid-20th century quickly replace more expensive metal and wooden goods. That adoption extended to the medical field, where the single-use nature of plastics represented a move toward more hygienic tools for physicians and hospitals. But it wasn't plastic's sanitary qualities that the industry first latched onto. Like so many other technical advancements, convenience and cost were the initial driving factors. That they were more conducive to creating a sterile environment for patients was a benefit that health care began to tout closer to the end of the 20th century. PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, replaced glass bottles previously used to hold IV solution and replaced rubber tubing used throughout hospital settings. Plastic has also become the go-to material for making syringes and catheters. Plastic products are generally made from chemicals derived from the oil and natural gas refining process. Chemists use those byproducts to create synthetic materials with malleable and durable chemical structures. The low cost of these materials has helped medical device-makers support better health outcomes for communities across the U.S. since the 1900s. No longer was health care priced at rates only the elite could afford—it was accessible to a much larger swath of the public. In the last decade, the U.S., in particular, has emerged as a massive market for medical plastics. The country generally accounts for nearly half of the global market for medical devices. Plastic's durability is not only a benefit but a detriment to the environment, as the material can take many years to deteriorate when it enters landfills or trashes oceans. Estimates vary widely, but scientists ballpark that depending on the kind of plastic and the environment in which it decomposes, it could take dozens to thousands of years to break down entirely. COVID-19, which remains a burden for health care systems, isn't the only force raising the stakes for a health care industry pressured to reduce reliance on plastics or find ways to reuse them. Global annual production of plastic has doubled in the last two decades , according to the Environmental Protection Agency. As the U.S. looks toward the future, its aging population is another factor that could exacerbate the rate at which medical plastics end up in landfills. People require more medical care as they age, and aging baby boomers are expected to place increased demand on the medical device industry. At the same time, governments are under pressure to lower health care costs, which have become unaffordable even for those insured . As recently as 2021, researchers lamented a lack of data on efforts to recycle medical plastics. Around 350 hospitals participate in Practice Greenhealth's Environmental Excellence Awards . Practice Greenhealth is an organization working to help hospitals increase their sustainability. It's one of the few sources of hospital sustainability data, and its roster of participating hospitals represents a small fraction of the more than 6,000 hospitals operating in the U.S. To meet the need to reduce plastic waste generation, some hospitals are moving away from using plastic in certain applications. Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center replaced health care workers' disposable plastic isolation gowns with reusable cloth gowns at its hospitals in the last decade, saving money and preventing literal tons of medical waste. It also implemented a process for sterilizing and incinerating the boxes that hold used needles, allowing them to be reassembled and reused in a health care setting. Recycling plastic medical waste is complicated by the potential for contamination and the need to separate contaminated and noncontaminated waste; once separated, they can be broken down with heat or treated with chemicals and reprocessed. However, using chemical methods to break down and dispose of plastics has drawbacks. Over 200 nongovernmental organizations signed a letter in 2023 urging the Biden administration to end federal support for methods like these, arguing they generate toxic pollutants. The Vinyl Council of Australia is working with hospitals to recover used materials made of PVC . The materials are broken down into tiny pieces, washed and heated at high temperatures, and remade into things used outside medical settings. In the U.S. and Europe, there's the Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council, a coalition of companies working in the health care device space that includes DuPont, Johnson & Johnson, and Medtronic. In 2021, the HPRC, advised by professionals at Kaiser Permanente and other health systems, rolled out a medical waste recycling pilot project with hopes of scaling it across more hospitals. Story editing by Ashleigh Graf. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Clarese Moller. This story originally appeared on Medical Technology Schools and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Build your health & fitness knowledge Sign up here to get the latest health & fitness updates in your inbox every week!Two former Syrian intelligence officials face US war crimes charges
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Officials are expected to receive a classified briefing on a series of . These have been spotted in California, Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, , Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and over the last month. At least one airport was shut down late last week due to reported drone activity. Now, House Intelligence Committee members are expected to receive a classified briefing on Tuesday afternoon, according to . “We know of no foreign involvement with respect to the sightings in the northeast. And we are vigilant in investigating this matter, the Department of Homeland Security, with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the lead,” Department of Homeland Security Secretary said on Sunday. The House Intelligence Committee is set to receive a briefing on the drones this week. Democratic Representative Jim Himes, a member of the committee, told Fox News he’s frustrated with the current lack of information. “There are a lot of us who are pretty frustrated right now,” Himes said. “The answer ‘we don’t know’ is not a good enough answer when people are anxious, when they are nervous, and this has been true since we’ve been a species on this planet.” “It is not the Iranians, it is not the Chinese. They aren’t Martians,” he added. Mapped: Where are the drone sightings? House Intelligence members expected to receive briefing Tuesday New Jersey mayor says ‘something’s going on’ with drones Airport, air force base impacted by drone activity Sen. Schumer calls for ‘special drone-detection tech’ , Two men were arrested for “dangerously close” to a Boston airport while a critical Air Force base was forced to shut its airspace as investigations continue into sighted over the US. Robert Duffy, 42, and Jeremy Folcik, 32, both of Massachusetts, were arrested and charged with trespassing on Saturday evening after their (UAS) was detected above Logan International Airport, according to the Boston Police Department. Read more: , Members of the House Intelligence Committee will receive a classified briefing on the mysterious drone spottings, reports. Democratic Representative Jim Himes, a member of the committee, told Fox News he’s frustrated with the current lack of information. “There are a lot of us who are pretty frustrated right now,” Himes said. “The answer ‘we don’t know’ is not a good enough answer when people are anxious, when they are nervous, and this has been true since we’ve been a species on this planet.” “It is not the Iranians, it is not the Chinese. They aren’t Martians,” he added. , Minnesota Senator calls for greater transparency from feds over drone sightings Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar called for increased transparency from federal officials on the mystery drone sightings across several states. “One, we need a briefing for the members of the Senate to figure out what’s going on here,” Klobuchar told CBS News. “Two, we need more transparency.” Members of the lower Congressional chamber are reportedly frustrated, too. Democratic Representative Jim Himes, a member of the House Intelligence Committee, told Fox News lawmakers are calling for more information. “There are a lot of us who are pretty frustrated right now,” Himes said. “The answer ‘we don’t know’ is not a good enough answer when people are anxious, when they are nervous, and this has been true since we’ve been a species on this planet.” , Residents of were confused and worried when a group of mysterious began to be seen flying in the skies above the state starting late last month. Now residents in , , , , , California and other states are experiencing the same thing. , , Right-wing podcaster reacted to the mysterious drones appearing over New Jersey in recent weeks by wondering if they were part of a “fake alien invasion” being staged to “steal Trump’s swagger.” , large drones — some as large as six feet in diameter — have been seen nightly across New Jersey from dusk until nearly midnight. According to the state lawmakers this week, the sightings have ranged from four to 180 per night. Read more: , , , President-elect Donald Trump accused President Joe Biden and his administration of keeping people “in suspense” over the drones spotted in several states. “Our military knows, and our president knows, and for some reason they want to keep people in suspense,” he said during a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate on Monday. “Something strange is going on and for some reason they don’t want to tell the people, and they should.” Trump added that he did not want to comment on whether he received an intelligence briefing on the drones. , Washington Township Mayor Matthew Murello told “something’s going on” with the drones spotted in his state. “I’m not trying to stir anything up, but we all know -- if you just turn on the television -- that drones can be used in an aggressive fashion,” Murello said on Monday. “They can carry payloads. They can be used for all kinds of really aggressive-type things.” Murello expressed frustration at federal officials for not revealing more information. “Nobody knows what these things are doing,” he said. “Best case scenario, they’re just getting video of us. Again, I don’t know why out here. We’re nothing but farm country. If you want videos of cows, I’ll be happy to send you some.” He isn’t alone. Democratic Representative Jim Himes, a member of the House Intelligence Committee, told Fox News over the weekend he’s frustrated with the current lack of information. “There are a lot of us who are pretty frustrated right now,” Himes said. “The answer ‘we don’t know’ is not a good enough answer when people are anxious, when they are nervous, and this has been true since we’ve been a species on this planet.” , The White House is knocking down claims that New Jersey’s airspace has been invaded by drones controlled by hostile nations and says many of the aircraft sightings that have been cited to support such assertions are actually normal piloted airplanes. Read more: , Two men were arrested for “dangerously close” to a Boston airport while a critical Air Force base was forced to shut its airspace as investigations continue into sighted over the US. Robert Duffy, 42, and Jeremy Folcik, 32, both of Massachusetts, were arrested and charged with trespassing on Saturday evening after their (UAS) was detected above Logan International Airport, according to the Boston Police Department. Read more: , Residents of were confused and worried when a group of mysterious began to be seen flying in the skies above the state starting late last month. Now residents in , , , , , California and other states are experiencing the same thing. See maps of the latest spottings here: , The drone sightings over have prompted a litany of to fly across the internet - including a Right-wing commentators are spreading the theories as sightings continue to be reported across the East Coast. The Federal Aviation Administration has said that the first sighting took place on November 18 close to Morris County, New Jersey, statement Thursday that there’s “no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or public safety threat or have a foreign nexus.” , Pentagon officials shut down Representative Jeff Van Drew’s “There is not any truth to that,” Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said last week of the Republican’s claims. “There is no Iranian ship off the coast of the United States, and there’s no so-called mothership launching drones towards the United States,” Singh added. Democratic Representative Jim Himes, a member of the House Intelligence Committee, on Sunday. “It is not the Iranians, it is not the Chinese,” he said. “They aren’t Martians.” , is facing backlash for with a bizarre AI-generated image showing the former eating McDonald’s while surrounded by drones. Mysterious in the skies above and New York in recent weeks, fueling speculation about the origins and causing federal officials to admit they don’t know who or what is behind them. Between November 19 and December 13 alone, almost 1,000 in the Garden State, the Office of Emergency Management confirmed to the . said Thursday there is “no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or public safety threat or have a foreign nexus.” Read more: , Police have made arrests connected to drone activity in San Francisco and Boston over the last week. Officials arrested Yinpiao Zhou on December 9 at the San Francisco International Airport after they claimed he flew a drone over Vandenberg Space Force Base while taking photos of the area. “This defendant allegedly flew a drone over a military base and took photos of the base’s layout, which is against the law,” United States Attorney Martin Estrada said in a . “The security of our nation is of paramount importance and my office will continue to promote the safety of our nation’s military personnel and facilities.” Then, on Saturday night Boston police arrested Robert Duffy and Jeremy Folcik for flying drones “dangerously close” to Logan International Airport. Investigators are searching for a third suspect they believe fled the scene, according to a from the Boston Police Department. , , Some of the drone spottings across several states in the US could be cases of “mistaken identity,” with residents unknowingly reporting legally-operated small aircraft, DHS and FBI officials have said. DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas also said some drones could be commercial. The FBI has received some 5,000 tips regarding drone activity, but fewer than 100 were “deemed worthy of further investigative activity.” an agency spokesperson said over the weekend. , , Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar called for increased transparency from federal officials on the mystery drone sightings across several states. “One, we need a briefing for the members of the Senate to figure out what’s going on here,” Klobuchar told CBS News. “Two, we need more transparency.” Members of the lower Congressional chamber are reportedly frustrated, too. Democratic Representative Jim Himes, a member of the House Intelligence Committee, told Fox News lawmakers are calling for more information. “There are a lot of us who are pretty frustrated right now,” Himes said. “The answer ‘we don’t know’ is not a good enough answer when people are anxious, when they are nervous, and this has been true since we’ve been a species on this planet.” , , A lawmaker on the House committee overseeing the US intelligence community on Sunday batted down rumors being leveled about mysterious sightings of in and possibly elsewhere along the US east coast. Read more: , Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called for Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to deploy “special drone-detection tech across NY and NJ.” “And I’m working to pass a bill in the Senate to give local law enforcement more tools for drone detection,” Schumer added in a Sunday . Schumer wants the DHS to employ technology like Robin Radar Systems, a Netherlands-based firm specializing in drone tracking, reports. “If the technology exists for a drone to make it up into the sky, there certainly is the technology that can track the craft with precision and determine what the heck is going on,” Schumer said. “And that’s what the Robin does today.” , Officials in Morris County, New Jersey are calling on the federal government to “marshal all federal resources at its disposal, including the military, to end the unauthorized flight of drones over our county and other parts of New Jersey.” The County Board of Commissioners called the ongoing sightings a “matter of national security” in a late last week. “Our federal government has a duty to the people of New Jersey and the rest of the nation to identify the source of this incursion, be completely transparent about what is happening, put an end to the drones that have so alarmed our communities and implement the appropriate safeguards to protect our air space and our people, now and in the future,” the statement reads. The FBI and Department of Homeland Security said last week that for the drones. , MAGA Rep. has claimed that the US government is “in control of the ” that have been spotted over and in recent weeks, which officials have so far been unable or unwilling to account for. Greene, who is well known for amplifying online , late on Saturday night: “The government is in control of the drones and refuses to tell the American people what is going on. It really is that bad.” The congresswoman offered no evidence to support her claim but followed up with , which went viral when it was shared by podcaster , featuring a video from drone manufacturer John Ferguson. Read more: , New York Governor Kathy Hochul said Sunday that federal authorities will deploy a “state-of-the-art drone detection system” in her state after she demanded action on the mysterious drone sightings. “This has gone too far,” Hochul said on Saturday after New York’s Stewart International Airport shut down for an hour the night before due to reported drone activity. Hochul revealed she “directed the New York State Intelligence Center to actively investigate drone sightings and coordinate with federal law enforcement to address this issue.” She also called on Congress to pass the Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act, a bill that would reform drone policy and hand more authority over to states. “Until those powers are granted to state and local officials, the Biden Administration must step in by directing additional federal law enforcement to New York and the surrounding region to ensure the safety of our critical infrastructure and our people,” Hochul added. Read the full story below: , , Residents have reported mysterious flying drones in at least eight states over the last month. While the sightings began last month in New Jersey, others have come out of California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia. These reports began to arouse suspicion after drones were spotted in two New Jersey locations: the US military research facility Picatinny Arsenal and President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster. These sightings even prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to issue temporary flight restrictions over the areas. Federal officials have emphasized they are not aware of any security threat. “We know of no foreign involvement with respect to the sightings in the northeast,” Department of Homeland Security Secretary said on Sunday. “And we are vigilant in investigating this matter, the Department of Homeland Security, with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the lead.” , At least one airport was forced to shut down or restrict activity late last week due to reported drone activity. New York’s Stewart International Airport – about 60 miles outside New York City — closed its runways for an hour on Friday night after drones were reported overhead, according to . Officials at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio were forced to close their airspace because of drone activity at the same time, local outlet reports. “To date, installation leadership has determined none of the incursions impacted base residents, facilities, or assets,” said Bob Purtiman, Chief of Public Affairs for the base.The Prime Minister is set to visit British troops serving on Russia’s border as he says Ukraine will require more funding and capability. Sir Keir Starmer was speaking at the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) conference in Estonia where he met leaders of other Baltic states. After signing an energy partnership with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store in Bergen, Sir Keir flew to Estonia where he spoke alongside Mr Store and their Estonian counterpart Kristen Michal. Asked what else could be done to support Ukraine, Sir Keir said: “There is an ever-increasing demand for more capability. That is understandable, and Ukraine needs all the capability that it can get, so I think all of us have put in more capability into Ukraine by way of equipment.” He added: “A lot of money has been raised, funding has been raised, but more is going to be needed.” The Prime Minister’s also discussed making the economic case at home for continued support for Ukraine. Sir Keir said: “Making the case on the significance of Ukraine, making the case, to double down, linking it back to each of our countries – what does it mean for us if Russia succeeds, is a really important question that we have to answer with our people to make it clear why it is that we are so supportive of Ukraine, why it is that we must stand with our allies on this, why it is we must make sure that Nato is put in the strongest position as well. “Now, this is a different world to the world of 10, 20 years ago, to recognise the world that we are living in, there’s a positive case as well to be made. “Defence spending doesn’t sort of sit in a silo over here with no effect on the rest of the economy, no effect on technology. “It has a huge effect on technologies, the cutting edge of technology and change which can then be used in other areas. “It binds countries together. I think all of us have got joint projects on in terms of defence capabilities that bind us together. There’s a huge number of well-paid jobs that are very important to our economy in defence spending as well. “But we have to make that positive case. I don’t personally feel that we can sort of sit back and assume that all of those in our respective countries necessarily accept all of our arguments unless we make them in that positive way, which I do think the argument can and should and must be made. “But the challenge that you put to us is the right challenge, which is it’s very difficult when finances are tight, as they are in all of our countries.” On Tuesday morning the Prime Minister will meet Taavi Madiberk, the founder of Estonian tech start-up manufacturing low-cost air defence missiles, Frankenburg Technologies, which is planning to open a new office in London Specialising in the manufacture of the missiles, the rapidly growing company already collaborates closely with the UK defence industry, sourcing a significant portion of its subsystems locally, including from propulsion specialists Roxel in Worcestershire. The Prime Minister will again attend the JEF summit, joining leaders from the Nordics and Baltics to discuss support for Ukraine, the sustained threat posed by Russia and wider European security. He will then visit British forces serving in the region to deter malign Russian threats.
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