QLD News Don't miss out on the headlines from QLD News. Followed categories will be added to My News. Artist impressions of what Brisbane’s 2032 Olympic Games stadium could look like have been met with mixed views. Populous, a global architectural design firm, have been involved in 14 summer and winter Olympic Games since 1996 and also designed the Suncorp Stadium rebuild in the early 2000s. Now they’ve been tasked with their biggest job yet. Last week they revealed the first glimpse of the King Salman Stadium in Saudi Arabia ahead of the 2034 FIFA World Cup. It is set to become the largest-capacity stadium in the country, with proposed designs boasting a futuristic venue and surrounding sporting precinct which would be the envy of the world. The King Salman Stadium will seat 92,000. Currently scheduled to be completed in late 2029, the stadium boasts a seating capacity of more than 92,000, with amenities including a Royal Box, hospitality skyboxes and lounges, 2200 VIP seats as well as a walking path on the roof with panoramic views. Outside of the King Salman Stadium, Populous have plans to build multiple futuristic and impressive venues ahead of the 2034 FIFA World Cup including one located off the edge of a cliff. Built on top of a 200m cliff, the Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Stadium looks like something out of a sci-fi movie. Populous has proposed it for the 2034 FIFA World Cup. But it’s not just the World Cup Populous are planning for, with numerous sporting venues across the globe in the works, many of them breathtaking. Readers, however, remain undecided when it comes to Brisbane’s Games and what style to adopt. Some said the funding could be better spent on health and housing; others claimed the city should opt for cut-price options. See what you had to say below and join the conversation >>> WHAT YOU SAID It’s all a mess Jen Someone should start a museum comparing the artists impressions of what is to be built in Brisbane versus what we actually get. The new comedy club where we can laugh AND cry at what happens in our city. Sandi Or just move the games to NSW and refresh existing facilities if needed. We are all well aware that Albo loves dividing the nation, by why does every major city need to get involved. It’s not a competition. Kim How about as a state/nation we first concentrate on lowering the cost of living, homelessness, getting back cheap reliable electricity, actually making stuff etc.....but maybe this is way too hard and our governments just want to distract us with bright shiny stuff? Alfred And I deserve a Lamborghini but I can’t afford that either. Bill Could not happen in Qld or anywhere in Australia because of the unions. It couldn’t be completed anywhere near on time. Kai Tak Sports Park will hold 50,000. Let’s get it right Jen Having visited major stadiums they need to be sustained by a major city population. Vision is great but right sizing it is more important than building an unsustainable white elephant for one event in 7 years. We are a small city and not NYC, London or an oil rich nation. Justine Well I hope you find a private consortium to build it because Qlders also deserve a decent education and health care, two necessities that are crumbling by the day. Piaget Maybe it would be nice. But, far, far more important is to deal with our housing crisis before we think about being lavish and splurging on projects like that. Get poor people into housing first, then we can think about things like that. Daniel Boondall, 80k, Roof, accessibility, owned by State, 20 8 stories towers, easing housing post games, lasting legacy forever, good smart business professionals ensuring profitability. please say why not! And not too far away! Kai Tak Sports Park by Populous in Hong Kong. Need more details Elaine And who is going to pay for that? Labor stripped the money tree bare. Sandi Wonder how many of those new stadiums are proposed in countries that have banned nuclear power or don’t rely on the proceeds of oil or gas. Bob All well and good ... But, who is going to pay for something that will be used by so few ??? Don’t we as a society, have to consider “Bangs for the buck” ??? Bundy Boy Where is the money coming from. Giggles and Dick wasted most of it and qld is now broke Originally published as What you said about other stadium examples ahead of 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games Join the conversation Add your comment to this story To join the conversation, please log in. Don't have an account? Register Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout More related stories QLD News Farmer MP picked for ‘sacred’ Speaker role A Western Queensland MP has been named speaker of parliament with bipartisan support for being ‘fair and impartial’. Read more QLD News Church blasted for complaint against whistleblower in horror childcare sex case A lawyer has savaged the Uniting Church for complaining to police about a whistleblower accused of leaking information about one of Australia’s worst child sex offenders to the media. Read more
By Pepper Intelligence Unit President Museveni is reportedly not happy about how he was cajoled to hand over Kiteezi landfill to a Ghanaian investor without getting all the information he required. He is now mad at local/Ugandan promoters who religiously pushed to have the deal handed over to Dr. Joseph Sian Agyepong’ firm— Jospong Group of Companies from Ghana. Gen.Museveni was convinced that Jospong had the capacity to address the country’s garbage management by converting waste at Kiteezi landfill into fertilizers and other recyclable materials in the aftermath of a tragedy that killed over 30 and displaced a hundreds including destruction of property. A whistleblower has however revealed that the Ghanaian investor and local promoters may have not told the President the ‘whole truth’ about their capacity to handle the project. Reports emerging indicate that Jespong is desperately hunting for an investor to sub-contract with necessary technology and expertise to do the actual job. We are told several firms in the USA and Dubai have been approached by Jespong agents for this purpose. The whistleblower says this is how Jespong has been getting contracts by hoodwinking unsuspecting government officials around Africa to secure contracts when in actual sense is a mere broker. “Jespong lacks the capacity to execute such a project. They are actually brokers. After securing the President’s approval to take over the Kiteezi landfill they are now running around shopping for firms with capacity,” the whistle blower revealed. We are now told a full report has been given to Gen.Museveni and he is not happy with all the local promoters involved. Insiders say that he (Gen.Museveni) felt betrayed because he expected Frank Rusa who has been KCCA’s Ag ED to tell him all the truth about Jespong which was not the case. Rusa applied for KCCA top job and was initially reportedly telling whoever cared to listen how ‘the thing’ –read KCCA top job- was his—no matter what. In a twist of events, we are told when Gen.Museveni got this not so palatable report about Jespong’s shenanigans, he expressed his disappointment in Rusa and those knowledgeable about the KCCA ED recruitment process knew that was the end for Rusa in pursuit of KCAA top job. “The President was not happy. He could not allow Rusa to take the KCCA top job after the messy handling of the Kiteezi landfill takeover deal,” a source revealed. Some other Jespong Ugandan promoters whom the President is also not happy with—and heads may turn soon— include Kampala and Metropolitan Affairs Ministers Minsa Kabanda and Kabuye Kyofatogabye and one Ssebagala. Others include Obed Lutakome who is KCCA’s former land-fill management officer (who ironically should have warned the government before the Kiteezi disaster struck). But together with other two partners, he now owns a firm housed at Fontis Residences Hotel-Nakasero, Kampala which is partnering with Jespong to take over the Kiteezi landfill privately. “Obed Lutakome was formerly land-fill management officer at KCCA. He should have warned the government about the Kiteezi situation but he didn’t! He should be now in court with the Kisaka’s but he is a free man. He is now coming back to privately takeover Kiteezi with Jespong through a private partnership. Who bewitched Uganda for sure?” The whistleblower expressed concern. We are also told that the Deputy Speaker of Parliament who is also among the local promoters of Jespong in Uganda is not happy about these new developments and is reportedly regretting why he allowed connecting Jespong people to President Museveni for a meeting. The name of Hussein Akandwanaho has also featured prominently among the local promoters of Jespong. This publication could not independently verify if this Akandwanaho is by any chance biologically linked to Gen. Salim Saleh Akandwanaho. But available information indicates that Hussein recently swore an affidavit to adopt ‘Akandwanaho’ name. Bismark Nortei Annoo, the honorary consul for the Republic of Ghana in Kampala, Uganda is also among key promoters of Jespong in Kampala. There are reports that Jespong appreciated all those who were involved in securing the Kiteezi Landfill deal in monetary terms but this is a story for another day. The new developments, if confirmed to be true, corroborate Inspector General of Government (IGG)Beti Kamya’s earlier fears and reservations about Jespong’s capacity to execute this project only to be ‘shut up’ by a presidential directive. In a letter dated October 17, 2024, Kamya ordered the suspension of all activities at Kiteezi landfill involving Jospong Group of Companies due to alleged irregularities in the awarding of their contract. “You are therefore directed to halt all transactions with Jospong Group of Companies who have been engaged to manage the Kiteezi landfill until this office completes investigations or issues further orders on the matter,” the letter stated. The IGG’s letter also indicated that an investigation had been launched to probe the alleged irregularities in the procurement process for the Kiteezi management contract, focusing on how it was awarded to Jospong Group of Companies. The letter revealed that Jospong was allegedly handpicked, bypassing standard government procurement procedures as outlined in the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act. “The investigations will also look into the allegations that other investors had approached the government with interest in investing in the Kiteezi landfill, but these were ignored or frustrated. That Jospong was awarded the tender without going through an open bidding process, which would have allowed other competent entities to express interest in partnering with KCCA,” the letter further stated. The IGG’s letter also highlighted concerns regarding the funding of the project. “Jospong Group of Companies has offered to manage the Kiteezi landfill at no cost to the government. This raises questions since one wonders how the company will recoup returns on their investments,” it read. Other issues to be investigated include the alleged lack of an environmental impact assessment, the absence of a feasibility study for the project, and concerns about whether due diligence was conducted to verify if the company possesses the necessary technology and experience to handle the magnitude of the project. Instead, the local promoters of Jespong rushed to secure a meeting with President Museveni who in turn issued a directive to have the former take over the landfill to the disappointment of the IGG. There have been many scandals and corruption allegations levelled against Jespong.In 2013 an investigation into massive corruption in the Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Development Agency (GYEEDA) led to the cancellation of all contracts under the programme. It also led to reforms which culminated into the passage of the Youth Employment Agency Law. The main companies that were indicted in the GYEEDA scandal were those from the Jospong Group of Companies owned by Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong and the AGAMS Group owned by Roland Agambire. The exposé also revealed and catalogued questionable contracts with various metropolitan and municipal assemblies. The report exposed how a waste bin contract awarded on sole sourcing basis to the JOSPONG Group was inflated by at least GHC130 million.Another report revealed how a GHC98 million contract was awarded to 11 companies under the Jospong group to undertake fumigation exercises across the country when Zoomlion Ghana Limited, the parent company of Jospong had already been paid to undertake the same fumigation. In 2013 the World Bank banned Zoomlion Ghana Limited, Jespong’s waste management services firm and its affiliate companies from bidding for the Bank’s contracts because Zoomlion “paid bribes to facilitate contract execution and processing of invoices” in Liberia. Watch this space! editorJimmy Carter, former US President, dies at age of 100
The AFC playoff picture is becoming clearer and clearer as the 2024 NFL season winds to a close, but the final spot in the seven-team field won't be decided until Week 18 . The Denver Broncos had a chance to secure the seventh and final spot in the AFC postseason field during their Saturday matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals . A victory would have guaranteed the Broncos passage to the postseason while eliminating the Bengals , Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins . However, Joe Burrow 's Bengals outlasted the Broncos in a 30-24 overtime victory . This result allowed the Colts and Dolphins to tighten the race for the No. 7 seed. The Colts failed to take advantage of the opportunity. They lost 45-33 to the New York Giants , who entered the day as the lone remaining two-win team in the NFL. That knocked Indianapolis out of playoff contention. Now, it's just a three-team race for the No. 7 seed, while other teams, like the Buffalo Bills , locked themselves into top seeds for the postseason. NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more. Here's what to know about the AFC playoff picture as Week 17 action winds down. SAQUON BARKLEY: Eagles RB eclipses 2,000 rushing yards, nears NFL's single-season record AFC playoff picture Below is a look at where the AFC playoff picture stands with just a few games remaining in Week 17: AFC In the hunt : Cincinnati Bengals (8-8), Miami Dolphins (7-8). There are two notable changes in the AFC playoff picture coming out of Week 17. First, the Bills officially clinched the No. 2 seed in the conference. That guarantees Buffalo home-field advantage for the first two rounds of the playoffs at the very least, which could prove beneficial for Josh Allen and Co. The more impactful development is that the Colts' loss to the Giants eliminated them from playoff contention. The Colts were a longshot to make the postseason – they needed the Broncos to lose and either the Bengals, Dolphins or both to win out – but the Bengals' win over the Broncos inspired hope that Indianapolis could potentially unseat Denver. After all, the Colts were playing the NFL's easiest schedule over the season's final two weeks while the Broncos were facing one of the league's hardest. Instead, the Colts lost. That opens the door for either the Dolphins or Bengals to challenge the Broncos if Denver stumbles in its Week 18 game against Kansas City. NFL PLAYOFF PICTURE WEEK 17: Eagles clinch NFC East, Rams close on NFC West title Who will be the AFC's 7 seed in the NFL playoffs? The Broncos, Dolphins, and Bengals are the three options for the No. 7 seed in the AFC bracket. Below is a look at their chances of making the postseason, per ESPN's live playoff projection model . That data is subject to change pending the result of Miami's matchup with the Cleveland Browns on Sunday afternoon. Broncos playoff scenarios The Broncos will be the AFC's No. 7 seed if either of the following scenarios occurs: BENGALS PLAYOFF CHANCES: 5 reasons Joe Burrow's team won't make postseason Dolphins playoff scenarios The Dolphins will be the AFC's No. 7 seed if the following occurs: Bengals playoff scenarios The Bengals will be the AFC's No. 7 seed if this happens: NFL playoff schedule The NFL playoffs kick off on Jan. 11 with the league's Super Wild Card Weekend before concluding on Feb. 9 with Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans. Super Wild Card weekend All times Eastern Saturday, Jan. 11 Sunday, Jan. 12 Monday, Jan. 13 Divisional round Saturday, Jan. 18 Sunday, Jan. 19 NFL conference championship round Sunday, Jan. 26 Super Bowl 59Jimmy Carter, the self-effacing peanut farmer, humanitarian and former navy lieutenant who helped Canada avert a nuclear catastrophe before ascending to the highest political office in the United States, died Sunday at his home in Georgia. He was 100, making him the longest-lived U.S. president in American history. Concern for Carter’s health had become a recurring theme in recent years. He was successfully treated for brain cancer in 2015, then suffered a number of falls, including one in 2019 that resulted in a broken hip. Alarm spiked in February 2023, however, when the Carter Center — the philanthropic organization he and his wife Rosalynn founded in 1982 — announced he would enter hospice care at his modest, three-bedroom house in Plains, Ga. Rosalynn Carter, a mental health advocate whose role as presidential spouse helped to define the modern first lady, predeceased her husband in November 2023 — a death at 96 that triggered a remembrance to rival his. “Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished,” the former president said in a statement after she died. “As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me.” Conventional wisdom saw his single White House term as middling. But Carter’s altruistic work ethic, faith-filled benevolence and famous disdain for the financial trappings of high office only endeared him to generations after he left politics in 1981. “The trite phrase has been, ‘Jimmy Carter has been the best former president in the history of the United States,’” said Gordon Giffin, a former U.S. ambassador to Canada who sits on the Carter Center’s board of trustees. “That grated on him, because it distinguished his service as president from his service — and I literally mean service — as a former president.” His relentless advocacy for human rights, a term Carter popularized long before it became part of the political lexicon, included helping to build homes for the poor across the U.S. and in 14 other countries, including Canada, well into his 90s. He devoted the resources of the Carter Center to tackling Guinea worm, a parasite that afflicted an estimated 3.5 million people in the developing world in the early 1980s and is today all but eradicated, with just 13 cases reported in 2022. And he was a tireless champion of ending armed conflict and promoting democratic elections in the wake of the Cold War, with his centre monitoring 113 such votes in 39 different countries — and offering conflict-resolution expertise when democracy receded. Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, nearly a quarter-century after his seminal work on the Camp David Accords helped pave the way for a peace treaty between Israel and Egypt in 1979, the first of its kind. “His presidency got sidelined in the historic evaluation too quickly, and now people are revisiting it,” Giffin said. “I think his standing in history as president will grow.” A lifelong Democrat who never officially visited Canada as president, Carter was nonetheless a pioneer of sorts when it came to Canada-U.S. relations and a close friend to the two Canadian prime ministers he served alongside. One of them, former Progressive Conservative leader Joe Clark, once called Carter a “pretty good Canadian” — a testament to the former commander-in-chief’s authenticity and centre-left politics, which always resonated north of the Canada-U.S. border. The pair were reunited in 2017 at a panel discussion in Atlanta hosted by the Canadian American Business Council, and seemed to delight in teasing the host when she described Clark as a “conservative” and Carter as a “progressive.” “I’m a Progressive Conservative — that’s very important,” Clark corrected her. Piped up Carter: “I’m a conservative progressive.” In 2012, the Carters visited Kingston, Ont., to receive an honorary degree from Queen’s University. Instead of a fancy hotel, they stayed with Arthur Milnes, a former speech writer, journalist and political scholar who’d long since become a close friend. “He became my hero, believe it or not, probably when I was about 12,” said Milnes, whose parents had come of age during the Cold War and lived in perpetual fear of the ever-present nuclear threat until Carter took over the White House in 1977. “My mother never discussed politics, with one exception — and that was when Jimmy Carter was in the White House. She’d say, ‘Art, Jimmy Carter is a good and decent man,’” Milnes recalled. “They always said, both of them, that for the first time since the 1950s, they felt safe, knowing that it was this special man from rural Georgia, Jimmy Carter, who had his finger on the proverbial button.” While Richard Nixon and Pierre Trudeau appeared to share a mutual antipathy during their shared time in office, Carter got along famously with the prime minister. Indeed, it was at the express request of the Trudeau family that Carter attended the former prime minister’s funeral in 2000, Giffin said. “The message I got back was the family would appreciate it if Jimmy Carter could come,” said Giffin, who was the U.S. envoy in Ottawa at the time. “So he did come. He was at the Trudeau funeral. And to me, that said a lot about not only the relationship he had with Trudeau, but the relationship he had in the Canada-U.S. dynamic.” It was at that funeral in Montreal that Carter — “much to my frustration,” Giffin allowed — spent more than two hours in a holding room with Cuban leader Fidel Castro, a meeting that resulted in Carter visiting Cuba in 2002, the first former president to do so. But it was long before Carter ever entered politics that he established a permanent bond with Canada — one forged in the radioactive aftermath of what might otherwise have become the country’s worst nuclear calamity. In 1952, Carter was a 28-year-old U.S. navy lieutenant, a submariner with a budding expertise in nuclear power, when he and his crew were dispatched to help control a partial meltdown at the experimental Chalk River Laboratories northwest of Ottawa. In his 2016 book “A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety,” Carter described working in teams of three, first practising on a mock-up of the reactor, then on the real thing, in short 90-second bursts to avoid absorbing more than the maximum allowable dose of radiation. “The limit on radiation absorption in the early 1950s was approximately 1,000 times higher than it is 60 years later,” he wrote. “There were a lot of jokes about the effects of radioactivity, mostly about the prospect of being sterilized, and we had to monitor our urine until all our bodies returned to the normal range.” That, Carter would later acknowledge in interviews, took him about six months. Carter and Clark were both in office during the so-called “Canadian Caper,” a top-secret operation to spirit a group of U.S. diplomats out of Iran following the fall of the U.S. embassy in Tehran in 1979. The elaborate ploy, which involved passing the group off as a Canadian science-fiction film crew, was documented in the Oscar-winning 2012 Ben Affleck film “Argo.” Carter didn’t think much of the film. “The movie that was made, ‘Argo,’ was very distorted. They hardly mentioned the Canadian role in this very heroic, courageous event,” he said during the CABC event. He described the true events of that escapade as “one of the greatest examples of a personal application of national friendship I have ever known.” To the end, Carter was an innately humble and understated man, said Giffin — a rare commodity in any world leader, much less in one from the United States. “People underestimate who Jimmy Carter is because he leads with his humanity,” he said. “I read an account the other day that said the Secret Service vehicles that are parked outside his house are worth more than the house. How many former presidents have done that?” This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec, 29, 2024.
NoneMGX-001, utilizing a highly specific and efficient MG29-1 nuclease, exhibits no identifiable off-target editing MG29-1 nuclease targeting the albumin safe harbor locus showed no evidence of translocations in primary human hepatocytes Metagenomi Adenine Base Editor (ABE) demonstrates no detectable translocations and no significant genomic base composition differences in primary T-cells EMERYVILLE, Calif., Dec. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Metagenomi, Inc. MGX , a precision genetic medicines company committed to developing curative therapeutics for patients using its proprietary gene editing toolbox, today presented a talk titled "Specific and efficient genome editing with metagenomics-derived tools for in vivo and ex vivo therapeutic applications" at the Nature Conference: RNA at the Bench and Bedside IV. "We believe the value proposition for single-dose gene editing therapies requires exquisite specificity characterization to ensure safety and efficacy. Today's presentation highlights the precision of Metagenomi's next-generation nucleases and ABEs, discovered through the company's proprietary metagenomics platform and tailored for both in vivo and ex vivo therapeutic applications," said Alan Brooks, SVP and Head of Preclinical. "MGX-001, Metagenomi's development candidate for hemophilia A, which utilizes the novel nuclease MG29-1, exhibits no identifiable off-target editing using a series of orthogonal assays employed to evaluate potential off-target sites in the genome. The MG29-1 nuclease targeting the albumin safe harbor locus showed no evidence of translocations in primary human hepatocytes. For Metagenomi's novel next-generation ABE for ex vivo cell therapy indications via multiplex editing, the data showed no detectable translocations and no significant genomic base composition differences in primary T-cells when compared to unedited cells. These examples demonstrate our strong capabilities in developing highly specific next-generation gene editing tools and support the company's ability to potentially progress these systems toward the clinic for the benefit of patients." About Metagenomi Metagenomi is a precision genetic medicines company committed to developing curative therapeutics for patients using its proprietary, comprehensive metagenomics-derived toolbox. Metagenomi is harnessing the power of metagenomics, the study of genetic material recovered from the natural environment, to unlock four billion years of microbial evolution to discover and develop a suite of novel editing tools capable of correcting any type of genetic mutation found anywhere in the genome. Its comprehensive genome editing toolbox includes programmable nucleases, base editors, and RNA and DNA-mediated integration systems (including prime editing systems and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat associated transposases (CAST)). Metagenomi believes its diverse and modular toolbox positions the company to access the entire genome and select the optimal tool to unlock the full potential of genome editing for patients. For more information, please visit https://metagenomi.co. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward‐Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each as amended. Such statements, which are often indicated by terms such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "goal," "intend," "look forward to," "may," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "will," "would" and similar expressions, include, but are not limited to, any statements relating to our growth strategy and product development programs, including the timing of and our ability to conduct IND-enabling studies, make regulatory filings such as INDs, statements concerning the potential of therapies and product candidates, and any other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could negatively affect our business, operating results, financial condition, and stock value. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated include: risks relating to our growth strategy; our ability to obtain, perform under, and maintain financing and strategic agreements and relationships; risks relating to the results of research and development activities; risks relating to the timing of starting and completing clinical trials; uncertainties relating to preclinical and clinical testing; our dependence on third party suppliers; our ability to attract, integrate and retain key personnel; the early stage of products under development; our need for substantial additional funds; government regulation; patent and intellectual property matters; competition; as well as other risks described in "Risk Factors," in our most recent Form 10-K and our most recent 10-Qs on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in our expectations or any changes in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law, and we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Contact: Simon Harnest - CIO, SVP Investor Relations IR@metagenomi.co © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.87-year-old kept under ‘digital arrest’, loses 24L
Oilers beat Rangers so bad that they might trade top players nowYoshihide Suga, vice president of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, is considering visiting South Korea in mid-December, a source familiar with the matter said Monday. Suga is set to attend a joint meeting of Japanese and South Korean parliamentarians, possibly around Dec 15, in his capacity as head of a bipartisan group of Japanese lawmakers working to promote friendly ties with their South Korean counterparts, the source said. Suga, who served as prime minister and chief cabinet secretary, is also exploring a meeting with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol during his trip, according to the source. Under Yoon, who assumed office in 2022, ties between Japan and South Korea, long frayed over wartime history and territory disputes, have improved. The countries will mark the 60th anniversary of the normalization of bilateral relations next year.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu underwent successful surgery Sunday to have his prostate removed, hospital officials said, a procedure that came as he manages multiple crises including the war in Gaza and his trial for alleged corruption. Netanyahu, who has had a series of health issues in recent years, has gone to great lengths to bolster a public image of himself as a healthy, energetic leader. During his trial this month, he boasted about working 18-hour days, accompanied by a cigar. But as Israel's longest-serving leader, such a grueling workload over a total of 17 years in power could take a toll on his well-being. Netanyahu, 75, is among older world leaders including U.S. President Joe Biden, 82, President-elect Donald Trump, 78, Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, 79, and Pope Francis, 88, who have come under scrutiny for their age and health issues. Netanyahu's latest condition is common in older men, but the procedure has had some fallout. The judges overseeing his trial accepted a request Sunday from his lawyer to call off three days of testimony scheduled this week. The lawyer, Amit Hadad, had argued that Netanyahu would be fully sedated for the procedure and hospitalized for “a number of days.” Jerusalem's Hadassah Medical Center announced late Sunday that the procedure had been “completed successfully.” Justice Minister Yariv Levin, a close ally, served as acting prime minister during the operation. Netanyahu is expected to remain hospitalized for several days. With so much at stake, Netanyahu’s health in wartime is a concern for both Israelis and the wider world. A turbulent time in the region As Israel’s leader, Netanyahu is at the center of major global events that are shifting the Middle East. With the dizzying pace of the past 14 months, being incapacitated for even a few hours can be risky. Netanyahu will be in the hospital at a time when international mediators are pushing Israel and Hamas to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and as fighting between Israel and Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels intensifies. Prostate issues are common and, in many cases, easily treatable. Still, the procedure puts a dent in Netanyahu’s image of vigor at a time when he would want to project strength more than ever, both to an Israeli audience navigating constant threats as well as to Israel’s enemies looking to expose its weaknesses. Previous health issues, include a heart condition Netanyahu insists he is in excellent health. His office releases footage of him touring war zones in full protective gear flanked by military officers, or meeting with defense officials on windswept hilltops in youthful dark shades and puffer jackets. But that image was shattered last year when Netanyahu’s doctors revealed that he had a heart condition, a problem that he had apparently long known about but concealed from the public. A week after a fainting spell, Netanyahu was fitted with a pacemaker to control his heartbeat. Only then did staff at the Sheba Medical Center reveal that Netanyahu has for years experienced a condition that can cause irregular heartbeats. The revelation came as Netanyahu was dealing with massive anti-government protests. The news about a chronic heart problem stoked further anger and distrust during extreme political polarization in Israel. Last year, Netanyahu was rushed to the hospital for what doctors said likely was dehydration. He stayed overnight, prompting his weekly Cabinet meeting to be delayed. Earlier this year, Netanyahu underwent hernia surgery, during which he was under full anesthesia and unconscious. Levin served as acting prime minister during the operation. Recovery can be quick According to Netanyahu’s office, the Israeli leader was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection Wednesday stemming from a benign enlargement of his prostate. The infection was treated successfully with antibiotics, but doctors said the surgery was needed in any case. Complications from prostate enlargement are common in men in their 70s and 80s, Dr. Shay Golan, head of the oncology urology service at Israel’s Rabin Medical Center, told Israeli Army Radio. Golan spoke in general terms and was not involved in Netanyahu’s care or treatment. He said an enlarged prostate can block proper emptying of the bladder, leading to a build-up of urine that can lead to an infection or other complications. After medicinal treatment, doctors can recommend a procedure to remove the prostate to prevent future blockages, Golan said. In Netanyahu’s case, because the prostate is not cancerous, Golan said doctors were likely performing an endoscopic surgery, carried out by inserting small instruments into a body cavity, rather than making surgical cuts in the abdomen to reach the prostate. The procedure lasts about an hour, Golan said, and recovery is quick. He said that aside from catheter use for one to three days after the procedure, patients can return to normal activity without significant limitations.
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Google’s new AI projects aren’t ready for the masses yet. Good!Some quotations from Jimmy Carter . We have a tendency to exalt ourselves and to dwell on the weaknesses and mistakes of others. I have come to realize that in every person there is something fine and pure and noble, along with a desire for self-fulfillment. Political and religious leaders must attempt to provide a society within which these human attributes can be nurtured and enhanced. — from 1975 book “Why Not the Best?” ___ Our government can express the highest common ideals of human beings — if we demand of government true standards of excellence. At this Bicentennial time of introspection and concern, we must demand such standards. — “Why Not the Best?” ___ I am a Southerner and an American, I am a farmer, an engineer, a father and husband, a Christian, a politician and former governor, a planner, a businessman, a nuclear physicist, a naval officer, a canoeist, and among other things a lover of Bob Dylan’s songs and Dylan Thomas’s poetry. — “Why Not the Best?” ___ Christ said, “I tell you that anyone who looks on a woman with lust has in his heart already committed adultery.” I’ve looked on a lot of women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times. This is something that God recognizes I will do — and I have done it — and God forgives me for it. But that doesn’t mean that I condemn someone who not only looks on a woman with lust but who leaves his wife and shacks up with somebody out of wedlock. — Interview, November 1976 Playboy. RELATED COVERAGE Significant milestones in life and career of Jimmy Carter Richard Parsons, prominent executive who led Time Warner and Citigroup, dies at 76 A Syrian family recounts the horrors of the 2013 chemical attack near Damascus ___ This inauguration ceremony marks a new beginning, a new dedication within our Government, and a new spirit among us all. A President may sense and proclaim that new spirit, but only a people can provide it. — Inaugural address, January 1977. ___ It’s clear that the true problems of our nation are much deeper — deeper than gasoline lines or energy shortages, deeper even than inflation and recession. ... All the legislation in the world can’t fix what’s wrong with America. ... It is a crisis of confidence. — So-called “malaise” speech, July 1979. ___ But we know that democracy is always an unfinished creation. Each generation must renew its foundations. Each generation must rediscover the meaning of this hallowed vision in the light of its own modern challenges. For this generation, ours, life is nuclear survival; liberty is human rights; the pursuit of happiness is a planet whose resources are devoted to the physical and spiritual nourishment of its inhabitants. — Farewell Address, January 1981. ___ We appreciate the past. We are grateful for the present and we’re looking forward to the future with great anticipation and commitment. — October 1986, at the dedication of the Carter Presidential Library and Museum. ___ War may sometimes be a necessary evil. But no matter how necessary, it is always an evil, never a good. We will not learn to live together in peace by killing each other’s children. — December 2002, Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech. ___ Fundamentalists have become increasingly influential in both religion and government, and have managed to change the nuances and subtleties of historic debate into black-and-white rigidities and the personal derogation of those who dare to disagree. ... The influence of these various trends poses a threat to many of our nation’s historic customs and moral commitments, both in government and in houses of worship. — From 2005 book “Our Endangered Values.” ___ I think that this breakthrough by Barack Obama has been remarkable. When he made his speech (on race) a few months ago in Philadelphia, I wept. I sat in front of the television and cried, because I saw that as the most enlightening and transforming analysis of racism and a potential end of it that I ever saw in my life. — August 2008, commenting on then-Sen. Barack Obama’s candidacy. ___ I think it’s based on racism. There is an inherent feeling among many in this country that an African-American should not be president. ... No matter who he is or how much we disagree with his policies, the president should be treated with respect. — September 2009, reacting to Rep. Joe Wilson’s shout of “You lie!” during a speech to Congress by President Barack Obama. ___ I’m still determined to outlive the last guinea worm. — 2010, on The Carter Center’s work to eradicate guinea worm disease. ___ You know how much I raised to run against Gerald Ford? Zero. You know how much I raised to run against Ronald Reagan? Zero. You know how much will be raised this year by all presidential, Senate and House campaigns? $6 billion. That’s 6,000 millions. — September 2012, reacting to the 2010 “Citizens United” U.S. Supreme Court decision permitting unlimited third-party political spending. ___ I have become convinced that the most serious and unaddressed worldwide challenge is the deprivation and abuse of women and girls, largely caused by a false interpretation of carefully selected religious texts and a growing tolerance of violence and warfare, unfortunately following the example set during my lifetime by the United States. — From 2014 book “A Call to Action.” ___ I don’t think there’s any doubt now that the NSA or other agencies monitor or record almost every telephone call made in the United States, including cellphones, and I presume email as well. We’ve gone a long way down the road of violating Americans’ basic civil rights, as far as privacy is concerned. — March 2014, commenting on U.S. intelligence monitoring after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks ___ We accept self-congratulations about the wonderful 50th anniversary - which is wonderful - but we feel like Lyndon Johnson did it and we don’t have to do anything anymore. — April 2014, commenting on racial inequality during a celebration of the Civil Rights Act’s 40th anniversary. ___ I had a very challenging question at Emory (University) the other night: “How would you describe the United States of America today in one word?” And I didn’t know what to say for a few moments, but I finally said, “Searching.” I think the country in which we live is still searching for what it ought to be, and what it can be, and I’m not sure we’re making much progress right at this moment. — October 2014 during a celebration of his 90th birthday. ___ The life we have now is the best of all. We have an expanding and harmonious family, a rich life in our church and the Plains community, and a diversity of projects at The Carter Center that is adventurous and exciting. Rosalynn and I have visited more than 145 countries, and both of us are as active as we have ever been. We are blessed with good health and look to the future with eagerness and confidence, but are prepared for inevitable adversity when it comes. — From 2015 book, “A Full Life.”New York, NY, Dec. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In an era where customer expectations are higher than ever and the need for quick, accurate information is paramount, Goldmarketer.com has taken a groundbreaking step in transforming the landscape of online financial services. The platform, a long-established leader in digital gold and financial derivatives, has unveiled the world's first 24-hour AI intelligent customer service, setting a new standard for how financial platforms can deliver efficient, personalized support to users worldwide. A Game-Changer for Financial Services Goldmarketer.com, a comprehensive internet-based financial platform, has long been a trusted name in the world of digital gold trading, foreign exchange (forex), cryptocurrency, stocks, ETFs, and other financial instruments. With years of experience and a wide range of advanced products, Goldmarketer has always been at the forefront of integrating cutting-edge technology into its operations. The launch of its 24-hour AI-powered customer service is a major milestone, not just for Goldmarketer but for the entire financial services industry. As digital platforms become increasingly integrated into daily financial management, the need for immediate, precise, and round-the-clock support is growing. Recognizing this shift, Goldmarketer.com has leveraged the power of artificial intelligence to ensure that users have access to real-time assistance, whenever they need it. Why AI-Powered Customer Service? Traditional customer support models in the financial industry, particularly those dealing with complex and diverse products like forex, crypto, and digital gold, often struggle to provide quick responses or address inquiries effectively. This can lead to frustration among users, especially during critical trading moments when every second counts. Goldmarketer.com's AI intelligent customer service is designed to tackle these challenges by using advanced algorithms and machine learning to handle a wide array of customer inquiries, from basic account-related questions to more complex financial transactions. The system can interpret user queries in real-time, offering highly relevant and accurate responses in a fraction of a second. Whether it's assisting with forex trading strategies, providing updates on cryptocurrency prices, or offering guidance on ETF investments, the AI system ensures that users receive precise, helpful support without delay. The Power of 24-Hour Availability In today's fast-paced financial environment, markets operate around the clock. Forex trading and cryptocurrency exchanges, for example, never sleep. For active traders, this means that support needs to be available at any time, regardless of time zone. Goldmarketer.com's AI-powered customer service is a game-changer because it operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Users can access help no matter where they are or what time it is, eliminating the need to wait for human agents to become available. The platform's AI is capable of handling a wide range of common queries automatically, but it also seamlessly escalates more complex issues to human agents when necessary. This hybrid approach ensures that users get both the speed and the personalized attention they need, while still benefiting from the efficiency of AI. How It Works Goldmarketer.com's AI-powered customer service is integrated directly into the platform, accessible via the website, mobile app, and other user interfaces. When users encounter an issue or have a question, they simply type or speak their query into the system. The AI then processes the request using natural language processing (NLP) to understand the intent behind the query, before providing an answer or taking action. In cases where the query requires a more nuanced response or specialized knowledge, the AI will prompt the user to either schedule a call with a human agent or continue the conversation in more detail. The AI system can handle inquiries in multiple languages, ensuring that Goldmarketer's global user base receives support in their native language, enhancing accessibility and user experience. Benefits for Users Instant Support: With AI handling requests around the clock, users no longer need to wait for business hours or deal with long response times. Enhanced Accuracy: Powered by machine learning, the AI continuously improves its ability to understand and address user needs, reducing the chances of human error. Scalable Assistance: Whether there's a spike in user activity or a steady stream of queries, the AI is designed to scale seamlessly, ensuring that every user gets the help they need without delay. Global Reach: The 24-hour availability and multilingual support mean that users across the world-no matter where they are-can receive expert guidance whenever they need it. Personalized Experience: The AI is not just a generic response tool; it's designed to learn from interactions, offering tailored recommendations and personalized insights based on a user's trading habits and preferences. Looking Ahead: The Future of Financial Platforms The integration of AI in customer service is just one of many ways Goldmarketer.com is embracing technological innovation to improve user experience. With the financial industry increasingly turning to automation and AI to streamline processes, Goldmarketer.com is leading the way with its smart customer service system. Looking ahead, the platform plans to expand the capabilities of its AI system to offer even more sophisticated tools for users, from automated trading insights to personalized portfolio management suggestions. By continually evolving its technology, Goldmarketer aims to remain at the forefront of the digital finance revolution. Conclusion Goldmarketer.com's launch of the world's first 24-hour AI intelligent customer service represents a significant step forward in the evolution of online financial platforms. As the demand for instantaneous, accurate, and round-the-clock support grows, this innovative feature positions Goldmarketer as not just a platform for digital gold and financial derivatives, but as a pioneer in the future of customer service in the financial industry. With AI at the helm, users can expect a smoother, more efficient experience-no matter the time of day or night. Disclaimer: This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies (including product offerings, regulatory plans and business plans) and may change without notice. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. CONTACT: Jack Levin support at goldmarketer.com
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I’m on a date with a fashion model who’s way out of my league as a photographer snaps pictures of me trying to pour on the charm at an Italian spot — all because I look kinda like Luigi Mangione . We share a bottle of white wine at hidden gem Inatteso in Battery Park City as she tells me she’s not convinced Mangione is the man who killed UnitedHealthcare CEO, Brian Thompson . My date doesn’t think the widely circulated photo of the smiling suspect from a New York City hostel is actually Mangione — and allow me to assure you it isn’t me. Soon we’re eating lasagna and having a flowing, flirtatious conversation that avoids any mention of politics. She even laughs when I try to make jokes and allows me to tell her my theories on the New Jersey drone phenomenon. I realize the date is going criminally well when I rant for 10 minutes about “The Telepathy Tapes” podcast and she pretends to find it interesting. I find myself thinking, perhaps like Luigi behind bars, “How did I get here?” It all started with an Instagram story post I made after receiving way too many in-person comments about the alleged resemblance — from co-workers, friends, family members, bartenders, strangers, gym-goers, members of the clergy. Frankly, I don’t even see it. There must be a few dozen kids I grew up with on Staten Island that are as close or closer to being a dead ringer for the suspected killer. “I do not look like the CEO killer other than being Italian,” I wrote in an ugly block caption placed over a half-hearted office-selfie. “But thank you for telling me that, several people.” A handful of girls, and a couple guys, took the bait and dropped flirtatious comments — but one damsel in my DMs who I previously chatted with briefly cut right to the chase. “I mean ... the eyebrows,” the striking model with +20K followers wrote, punctuated with the eyes-emoji. I did not keep my cool but that didn’t seem to matter. “With the whole country thirsting for Luigi, y’all are about to have a blast,” she entreated. I mentioned that The Post was thinking about doing a story about my alleged resemblance and how it was a “hit with women.” “I volunteer to be part of the social experiment,” she wrote and the deal was sealed. We set a date and I even got her to commit to being photographed, though she chose to remain anonymous for the sake of this story — fine by me as I don’t need any of you other Mangione lookalikes trying to slide into her DMs. It was an excellent date — even the photog said so — and she’s a great gal. Despite juggling several gigs and constant bookings she even manages to find time to volunteer as a foster parent for houseless dogs — incredibly kind. Clearly, way out of my league and of all people I have Mangione, I suppose, to thank for putting some stardust in her eyes. And we have a second date — no cameras for that one.BNB at $721, Polkadot Aims for $24, BlockDAG Mining Sales Hit $5.9M as Stock Dwindles!
