LONDON — West Ham forward Michail Antonio was taken to hospital after being involved in a road traffic incident on Saturday. West Ham added the 34-year-old player was in a stable condition after the incident in the Essex area. “Michail is conscious and communicating and is currently under close supervision at a central London hospital,” the Premier League club said in a statement. “At this difficult time, we kindly ask everyone to respect the privacy of Michail and his family. “The club will make no further comment this evening, but will issue a further update in due course.” Unverified images of a heavily damaged Ferrari were shared on social media on Saturday. It was not known if it was the car involved in the accident. Antonio signed for West Ham in 2015 and has made more than 300 appearances. West Ham doesn’t have a league game until Monday. Source: APTorex Gold Resources Inc. (OTCMKTS:TORXF) Sees Significant Increase in Short Interest
World News | Significant Milestones in Life and Career of Jimmy Carter
Criminologist says Canada should better track foreign student departuresUS budget airlines are struggling. Will pursuing premium passengers solve their problems?
These top ASX dividend shares offer whopping 8%+ yieldsJimmy Carter, the earnest Georgia peanut farmer who as US president struggled with a bad economy and the Iran hostage crisis but brokered peace between Israel and Egypt and later received the Nobel Peace Prize for his humanitarian work, died at his home in Plains, Georgia, on Sunday, the Carter Center said. He was 100. “My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love,” said Chip Carter, the former president’s son. “My brothers, sister, and I shared him with the rest of the world through these common beliefs. The world is our family because of the way he brought people together, and we thank you for honoring his memory by continuing to live these shared beliefs.” A Democrat, he served as president from January 1977 to January 1981 after defeating incumbent Republican President Gerald Ford in the 1976 US election. Carter was swept from office four years later in an electoral landslide as voters embraced Republican challenger Ronald Reagan, the former actor and California governor. Carter lived longer after his term in office than any other US president. Along the way, he earned a reputation as a better former president than he was a president - a status he readily acknowledged. His one-term presidency was marked by the highs of the 1978 Camp David accords between Israel and Egypt, bringing some stability to the Middle East. But it was dogged by an economy in recession, persistent unpopularity and the embarrassment of the Iran hostage crisis that consumed his final 444 days in office. In recent years, Carter had experienced several health issues including melanoma that spread to his liver and brain. Carter decided to receive hospice care in February 2023 instead of undergoing additional medical intervention. His wife, Rosalynn Carter, died on Nov. 19, 2023, at age 96. He looked frail when he attended her memorial service and funeral in a wheelchair. Carter left office profoundly unpopular but worked energetically for decades on humanitarian causes. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 in recognition of his "untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development." Carter had been a centrist as governor of Georgia with populist tendencies when he moved into the White House as the 39th US president. He was a Washington outsider at a time when America was still reeling from the Watergate scandal that led Republican Richard Nixon to resign as president in 1974 and elevated Ford from vice president. "I'm Jimmy Carter and I'm running for president. I will never lie to you," Carter promised with an ear-to-ear smile. Asked to assess his presidency, Carter said in a 1991 documentary: "The biggest failure we had was a political failure. I never was able to convince the American people that I was a forceful and strong leader." Despite his difficulties in office, Carter had few rivals for accomplishments as a former president. He gained global acclaim as a tireless human rights advocate, a voice for the disenfranchised and a leader in the fight against hunger and poverty, winning the respect that eluded him in the White House. Carter won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his efforts to promote human rights and resolve conflicts around the world, from Ethiopia and Eritrea to Bosnia and Haiti. His Carter Center in Atlanta sent international election-monitoring delegations to polls around the world. A Southern Baptist Sunday school teacher since his teens, Carter brought a strong sense of morality to the presidency, speaking openly about his religious faith. He also sought to take some pomp out of an increasingly imperial presidency - walking, rather than riding in a limousine, in his 1977 inauguration parade. The Middle East was the focus of Carter's foreign policy. The 1979 Egypt-Israel peace treaty, based on the 1978 Camp David accords, ended a state of war between the two neighbours. Carter brought Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin to the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland for talks. Later, as the accords seemed to be unravelling, Carter saved the day by flying to Cairo and Jerusalem for personal shuttle diplomacy. The treaty provided for Israeli withdrawal from Egypt's Sinai Peninsula and establishment of diplomatic relations. Begin and Sadat each won a Nobel Peace Prize in 1978. By the 1980 election, the overriding issues were double-digit inflation, interest rates that exceeded 20% and soaring gas prices, as well as the Iran hostage crisis that brought humiliation to America. These issues marred Carter's presidency and undermined his chances of winning a second term. On November 4, 1979, revolutionaries devoted to Iran's Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini had stormed the US Embassy in Tehran, seized the Americans present and demanded the return of the ousted shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who was backed by the United States and was being treated in a US hospital. The American public initially rallied behind Carter. But his support faded in April 1980 when a commando raid failed to rescue the hostages, with eight US soldiers killed in an aircraft accident in the Iranian desert. Carter's final ignominy was that Iran held the 52 hostages until minutes after Reagan took his oath of office on January 20, 1981, to replace Carter, then released the planes carrying them to freedom. In another crisis, Carter protested the former Soviet Union's 1979 invasion of Afghanistan by boycotting the 1980 Olympics in Moscow. He also asked the US Senate to defer consideration of a major nuclear arms accord with Moscow. Unswayed, the Soviets remained in Afghanistan for a decade. Carter won narrow Senate approval in 1978 of a treaty to transfer the Panama Canal to the control of Panama despite critics who argued the waterway was vital to American security. He also completed negotiations on full US ties with China. Carter created two new US Cabinet departments - education and energy. Amid high gas prices, he said America's "energy crisis" was "the moral equivalent of war" and urged the country to embrace conservation. "Ours is the most wasteful nation on earth," he told Americans in 1977. In 1979, Carter delivered what became known as his "malaise" speech to the nation, although he never used that word. "After listening to the American people I have been reminded again that all the legislation in the world can't fix what's wrong with America," he said in his televised address. "The threat is nearly invisible in ordinary ways. It is a crisis of confidence. It is a crisis that strikes at the very heart and soul and spirit of our national will. The erosion of our confidence in the future is threatening to destroy the social and the political fabric of America." As president, the strait-laced Carter was embarrassed by the behaviour of his hard-drinking younger brother, Billy Carter, who had boasted: "I got a red neck, white socks, and Blue Ribbon beer." Jimmy Carter withstood a challenge from Massachusetts Senator Edward Kennedy for the 1980 Democratic presidential nomination but was politically diminished heading into his general election battle against a vigorous Republican adversary. Reagan, the conservative who projected an image of strength, kept Carter off balance during their debates before the November 1980 election. Reagan dismissively told Carter, "There you go again," when the Republican challenger felt the president had misrepresented Reagan's views during one debate. Carter lost the 1980 election to Reagan, who won 44 of the 50 states and amassed an Electoral College landslide. James Earl Carter Jr. was born on October 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia, one of four children of a farmer and shopkeeper. He graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1946, served in the nuclear submarine program and left to manage the family peanut farming business. He married his wife, Rosalynn, in 1946, a union he called "the most important thing in my life." They had three sons and a daughter. Carter became a millionaire, a Georgia state legislator and Georgia's governor from 1971 to 1975. He mounted an underdog bid for the 1976 Democratic presidential nomination, and out-hustled his rivals for the right to face Ford in the general election. With Walter Mondale as his vice presidential running mate, Carter was given a boost by a major Ford gaffe during one of their debates. Ford said that "there is no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe and there never will be under a Ford administration," despite decades of just such domination. Carter edged Ford in the election, even though Ford actually won more states - 27 to Carter's 23. Not all of Carter's post-presidential work was appreciated. Former President George W. Bush and his father, former President George H.W. Bush, both Republicans, were said to have been displeased by Carter's freelance diplomacy in Iraq and elsewhere. In 2004, Carter called the Iraq war launched in 2003 by the younger Bush one of the most "gross and damaging mistakes our nation ever made." He called George W. Bush's administration "the worst in history" and said Vice President Dick Cheney was "a disaster for our country." In 2019, Carter questioned Republican Donald Trump's legitimacy as president, saying "he was put into office because the Russians interfered on his behalf." Trump responded by calling Carter "a terrible president." Carter also made trips to communist North Korea. A 1994 visit defused a nuclear crisis, as President Kim Il Sung agreed to freeze his nuclear program in exchange for resumed dialogue with the United States. That led to a deal in which North Korea, in return for aid, promised not to restart its nuclear reactor or reprocess the plant's spent fuel. But Carter irked Democratic President Bill Clinton's administration by announcing the deal with North Korea's leader without first checking with Washington. In 2010, Carter won the release of an American sentenced to eight years hard labor for illegally entering North Korea. Carter wrote more than two dozen books, ranging from a presidential memoir to a children's book and poetry, as well as works about religious faith and diplomacy. His book "Faith: A Journey for All," was published in 2018. (Reuters)
Justin Trudeau fails to win assurances over trade tariffs after talks with Donald TrumpDALLAS — Delta and United became the most profitable U.S. airlines by targeting premium customers while also winning back a significant share of travelers on a tight budget. That is squeezing smaller low-fare carriers like Spirit Airlines , which recently filed for bankruptcy protection. Some travel-industry experts think Spirit’s troubles indicate that travelers on a budget will be left with fewer choices and higher prices. Other discount airlines are on much better financial footing than Spirit, but they too are lagging far behind the full-service airlines when it comes to recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic . Most industry experts think Frontier Airlines and other so-called ultra-low-cost carriers will fill the vacuum if Spirit shrinks , and that there is still plenty of competition to prevent prices from spiking. Spirit Airlines lost more than $2.2 billion since the start of 2020. Frontier has not reported a full-year profit since 2019, though that slump might end this year. Allegiant Air’s parent company is still profitable, but less so than before the pandemic. Those kind of numbers led United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby to declare recently that low-cost carriers were using “a fundamentally flawed business model” and customers hate flying on them. Kirby’s touchdown dance might turn out to be premature, but many analysts are wary about the near-term prospects for budget airlines, which charge cheaper fares but more fees than the big airlines. A traveler speaks with a Spirit Airlines agent May 24 at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport ahead of Memorial Day in Atlanta. Mike Stewart, Associated Press Low-cost airlines grew in the last two decades by undercutting big carriers on ticket prices, thanks in large part to lower costs, including hiring younger workers who were paid less than their counterparts at Delta Air Lines, United and American Airlines . Wages soared across the industry in the past two years, however, narrowing that cost advantage. The big airlines rolled out and refined their no-frills, “basic economy” tickets to compete directly with Spirit, Frontier and other budget carriers for the most price-sensitive travelers. The budget airlines became less efficient at using planes and people. As their growth slowed, they wound up with more of both than they needed. In 2019, Spirit planes were in the air an average of 12.3 hours every day. By this summer, the planes spent an average of two more hours each day sitting on the ground, where they don't make money. Spirit's costs per mile jumped 32% between 2019 and 2023. Another issue is that airlines added too many flights. Budget airlines and Southwest Airlines were among the worst offenders, but full-service airlines piled on. To make up for a drop in business travel, the big carriers added more flights on domestic leisure routes. The result: Too many seats on flights into popular tourist destinations such as Florida and Las Vegas, which drove down prices, especially for economy-class tickets. Rows of seats are shown Sept. 26 on a retrofitted Southwest Airlines jet at Love Field in Dallas. Tony Gutierrez, Associated Press Low-cost airlines are responding by following the old adage that if you can't beat them, join them. That means going premium, following the rapidly growing household wealth among upper-income people. The top one-fifth of U.S. households by income added $35 trillion in wealth since 2019 and holds nearly nine times the wealth of the middle fifth, according to the Federal Reserve . Frontier Airlines organized its fares into four bundles in May, with buyers of higher-priced tickets getting extras such as priority boarding, more legroom and checked bags. The airline dropped ticket-change or cancellation fees except for the cheapest bundle. Spirit followed in August with similar changes, blocking middle seats and charging passengers more for the comfort of aisle and window seats. Spirit Airlines CEO Ted Christie received a $3.8 million retention bonus a week before the Florida-based carrier filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Christie will retain the bonus if he remains with the company for another year. The airline's stock has dropped over 90% this year. It has faced challenges including a blocked $3.8 billion merger with JetBlue and failed talks with Frontier. The pandemic disrupted Spirit's operations and travel patterns, reducing its daily aircraft utilization and increasing costs. Demand has shifted to full-service airlines as higher-income travelers vacation more, while inflation impacts lower-income consumers. Benzinga - News JetBlue Airways , which began flying more than 20 years ago as a low-cost carrier but with amenities, is digging out from years of steady losses. Under new CEO Joanna Geraghty, the first woman to lead a major U.S. airline, JetBlue is cutting unprofitable routes, bolstering core markets that include the Northeast and Florida, and delaying deliveries of $3 billion worth of new planes. Starting next year, Southwest Airlines will toss out a half-century tradition of “open seating” — passengers picking their own seat after boarding the plane. Executives say extensive surveying showed 80% of customers preferred an assigned seat, and that's especially true with coveted business travelers. More crowded planes also might be pushing passengers to spend more to escape a middle seat in the back of the plane. A Frontier Airlines jet takes off July 5, 2022, from Denver International Airport in Denver. David Zalubowski, Associated Press In other parts of the world, budget carriers are doing just fine. They bounced back from the pandemic just like their more highbrow competitors. Some industry experts say low-cost carriers in Asia and Europe have always attracted a more diverse mix of passengers, while in the U.S., affluent and middle-class travelers look down their noses at low-cost carriers. Jamie Baker, an analyst for JPMorgan, says he has many college friends who work in London and fly Irish airline Ryanair all the time, but he hardly knows anyone who has ever been on a Spirit or Frontier plane. A small plane tows a banner April 13, 2016, over Flint Bishop International Airport as part of ceremonies marking Allegiant Air joining the airport. Conor Ralph, The Flint Journal Delta CEO Ed Bastian is less dismissive of the “lower-end carriers” in the U.S. than United's Kirby. "I don’t see that segment ever disappearing,” Bastian said after Spirit’s bankruptcy filing. “I think there’s a market for it.” At the same time, he said the upscale moves by ultra-low-cost carriers are having no effect on his airline. Delta targets upscale travelers but also introduced basic-economy fares a decade ago, when discounters emerged as a growing threat to poach some of Delta's customers. “Just calling yourself a premium carrier and actually being a premium carrier are two totally different things,” Bastian said “It's not the size of the seat or how much room you have; it's the overall experience.” As frequent flyers know, air travel isn't cheap. With the summer months in full swing, demand for air travel is expected to reach record numbers in 2024 as airlines continue to recover after the COVID-19 pandemic. Luckily for those who are looking for ways to save on travel , one way to cut costs on your next vacation may be in finding the right places to fly in and out of. FinanceBuzz looked at average domestic airfares from the 45 busiest airports in the U.S. to learn which airports are best for travelers on a budget, as well as which ones to avoid if you are trying to travel affordably. Overall, the national average airfare cost decreased by 3.1% from 2022 to 2023 when adjusted for inflation (which translates to a 0.9% increase in non-adjusted dollars). The last time inflation-adjusted airfare costs dropped year-over-year was during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, when it fell 18% between 2019 and 2020. Largely, this is good news for consumers who can spend less on airfare and have more room in their budget for hotels , restaurants, and other travel fees. In addition to earning rewards on airfare, most travel credit cards offer rewards for spending in these areas, which can offset overall vacation costs. Sergieiev // Shutterstock Orlando International Airport (MCO) had the lowest airfare cost in the country at $265.58 on average. Home to iconic theme parks like Universal Studios, Sea World, and most notably, Walt Disney World, Orlando is one of America's top tourist destinations. This is welcome news for those bracing for expensive park tickets and food prices at the House of Mouse. Beyond saving with a Disney credit card on park-related purchases, visitors can also maximize savings by using a credit card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve which offers an annual travel credit, or even using a 0% APR credit card if you don't want to pay for your entire vacation at once. Another Florida-based airport, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), has the second-lowest average airfare cost in the country — tickets here are only about $5 more expensive than Orlando's. Just a few dollars behind FLL is Las Vegas's Harry Reid International (LAS), where fares cost $272.15 on average. LAS is also the last airport on our list where average airfare costs are less than $300. Oakland International Airport (OAK) has the fourth-lowest average airfare costs in the country at $303.79. And the fifth-least expensive airport, Chicago Midway International (MDW), comes in at $308.27. FinanceBuzz For the third year in a row, Dulles International Airport (IAD) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) have the two highest average fares in the country. Flights from Dulles cost $488.40 on average in 2023, while flights from San Francisco cost $444.59. Some silver lining for travelers who need to travel through Dulles: IAD is home to some of the best airport lounges in the country, including the recently-opened Capital One Lounge, available to Capital One Venture X or Venture Rewards credit card holders. With free food, drinks, and recharging stations, lounges can be one easy way to offset otherwise-expensive airport costs. Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) has the third-highest average airfare in the country, with an average cost of $438.34. Last on our top-five list of the most expensive airports are Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) and Detroit Metro Airport (DTW). Average airfare from Charlotte cost $436.80 last year, while flights from Detroit had an average price tag of $427.05. Biggest jumps in affordability rankings Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) was the biggest affordability winner over the last year, dropping prices by more than $18 on average. SEA jumped from 36th most-affordable place last year to 28th place this year — an increase of eight spots. Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) and Portland International Airport (PDX) experienced similar jumps, rising by seven spots each. RDU went from 24th place in 2022 to 17th in 2023, while PDX went from 42nd to 35th. Biggest drops in affordability ranking Two different airports fell by eight spots in our affordability rankings, tied for the biggest drop of the year. The average fare at Sacramento International Airport (SMF) rose by $18.66 year-over-year, which led SMF to go from 18th in last year's affordability rankings to 26th this year. Prices rose even more at St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL), going up by $19.64 on average from one year to the next. Consequently, STL fell from 21st to 29th place in terms of affordability. How to save when you fly As you plan your travel, you'll find costs can vary widely at a single airport. With a little research and smart planning, you can find a deal at any airport. Here are a few tips to save on airfare: One way to save on airfare is to use airline credit card points , or travel cards, to book your travel. For newer travelers, some welcome bonuses on beginner travel credit cards can be enough to earn you a free flight (or two). As we all know, flights aren't the only expensive part of traveling. Save money on baggage fees by understanding your airlines and prepping for the hidden costs of air travel. Methodology We looked at 2023 airfare data released by the U.S. Department of Transportation in May 2024 to compare domestic airfares by origin city. This report calculated average fares based on domestic itinerary fares. "Itinerary fares" consist of round-trip fares, unless only a one-way ticket was purchased. In that case, the one-way fare was used. Fares are based on total ticket value, including the price charged by the airline plus any additional taxes and fees levied at the time of purchase. Fares include only the price paid at booking and do not include fees for optional services like baggage fees. Averages also do not include frequent-flyer or "zero fares" or a few abnormally high reported fares. This stor y was produced by FinanceBuzz and reviewed and distributed by Stacker Media. FinanceBuzzBalloon-integrated PV system with 19% efficient film boosts output in high latitudes
Cambridge, MA, Nov. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The 2024 IOF-ADA Forsyth International Orthodontic Symposium, held in Cambridge, MA, USA, on October 5-6, brought together thought leaders from around the globe to discuss the latest innovations and advancements in orthodontics. This milestone event marked the first of three joint symposia by the International Orthodontics Foundation and ADA Forsyth Institute to promote global innovation in orthodontics. With 20 lectures and two fireside discussions led by 30 experts from 24 international institutions, the symposium attracted 111,000 online views from 52 countries and regions, in addition to the sold-out venue audience. Last year, the symposium was held in Hong Kong (Asia), and next year, it will take place in Madrid (Europe). IOF’s transition from Asia to the Americas and then to Europe demonstrates its commitment to ensuring that voices from different academic schools of thought are heard on a global stage. As Donald Huang, Co-chairman of the Board of IOF and Partner and Managing Director of CareCapital Group, stated, “Each year, IOF selects a city embodying innovation and progress for our annual symposium. From Hong Kong's vibrant skyline to Boston's rich history and cutting-edge healthcare, we've connected with remarkable minds.” Innovation in orthodontics and beyond The 2024 symposium brought together some of the most influential thought leaders in orthodontics, each sharing valuable insights that will shape the future of the field. Experts discussed how the latest advancements in technology influence daily clinical practices and how these innovations will continue to evolve. Contributions from notable figures such as Dr. Raymond Cohlmia, Executive Director of the American Dental Association, and renowned materials scientist and MIT Professor Michael Cima, a member of the prestigious National Academy of Engineering, provided a forward-looking view on how orthodontic technologies will impact both clinicians and patients alike. "ADA Forsyth’s mission is to serve and help people globally,” Dr. Cohlmia said in his presentation which opened the conference. “The orthodontic research and innovation communities must rise to the challenge of revolutionizing orthodontic treatment with new technologies." Prof. Cima shared that science is about making the “unknown” known, and engineering is about making the “impossible” possible, as he highlighted the role of each in driving change. He described his cutting-edge work creating a precision drug delivery device for epilepsy that could potentially inspire new therapeutic procedures in dentistry. Over the course of the two-day symposium, leading experts shared their latest innovations in areas such as orthodontic appliances, AI-assisted personalized treatment, novel tools for sleep apnea monitoring, complex-case management, and tele-orthodontics. The symposium also highlighted significant innovations such as Miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE), and the use of AI and VR in orthodontic education, and clinical practice. AI-driven diagnostic and planning tools are providing orthodontists with new ways to improve care, making treatments more precise and accessible. Experts share best practices and limitations to integrate some of these technologies into clinical workflow, offering practical solutions that enhance treatment efficiency and patient outcomes. AFI-IOF Partnership aims to revolutionize oral health Though the core missions of AFI and IOF are different, both are committed to expanding education and collaboration while empowering the use of new technologies to revolutionize access and quality of oral health care. Through continuous efforts in education, research, and building a global platform for communication, IOF is breaking geographical barriers and making significant strides in enhancing patient care worldwide—whether in developed nations or in developing regions. During this year's symposium, three IOF members from the United States, Italy, and Syria shared their moving stories, recounting how the IOF has transformed their lives. Donald Huang remarked, “As we connect with members globally, we found many inspiring stories. Their stories remind us of the profound difference we make as educators, mentors, and professionals in this field. Our true measure of success lies not in numbers, but in the hearts we've touched – confident children, purpose-driven orthodontists, and transformed lives.” Dr. Kang Ting, Executive Director at the IOF and Adjunct Faculty at AFI affirmed IOF’s commitment to education in his speech: "We believe that freely accessible high-quality global education and research opportunities are not just for our professionals, but truly for the benefit of patients worldwide and the public interest. It is a vision that welcomes and includes all, regardless of background or location." Dr. Wenyuan Shi, CEO of AFI, identified the collaboration with IOF as one of the first of many such partnerships, representing AFI’s commitment to expanding access to oral health care globally: “We are working to promote advancement of cutting-edge technologies and research in the field, through collaborative projects with international partners, including joint training programs for postdocs and joint symposia.” Earlier this year, the Institute signed partnerships with Dubai Health and Seoul National University, to improve international collaboration and further education in oral health research and innovation. 2025 Symposium: Emerging Technology for Interdisciplinary Care The 2025 AFI-IOF International Orthodontics Symposium in partnership with UCM, will convene at Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), Spain, on June 27-28, 2025. With the theme Emerging Technology for Interdisciplinary Care , this symposium marks the first tri-party collaboration in its history, bringing together IOF, a global academic organization; AFI, a leading North American dental research institute; and UCM, one of Europe’s foremost research universities, to create a global forum for knowledge exchange. Through this unique alliance, the symposium will gather experts in orthodontics from across Europe, North America, Asia, and other regions to delve into advancements in orthodontic innovation and explore intersections with disciplines such as materials science and computer science. This exchange promises a dynamic fusion of diverse academic perspectives that will further elevate orthodontic practice worldwide. Company: International Orthodontics Foundation Limited Contact Person: Brandon Kan Email: brandon.kan@iofglobal.org Website: https://www.iofglobal.org Telephone: +862155821505 City: HongKong Address: Unit 1603, 16/F Tower 1, Silvercord 30 Canton RD TST KL, HongKong Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of KISS PR or its partners. This content is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. KISS PR makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, correctness, suitability, or validity of any information in this article and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.Photos: Remembering Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president
Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements. CHECK OUT: Don't let unemployment hold you back. Start your digital marketing journey today. The former governor of Niger state, Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu , has said that to protect the security personnel, Nigeria must formulate a policy that stipulates the death penalty for anyone who kills uniform personnel. He stated this at the National Institute of Security Studies (NISS), in Abuja during a graduation ceremony for members of the Executive Intelligence Management Course (EIMC), 17. According to Aliyu, the death penalty measure would encourage security personnel. As reported by Leadership on Saturday, December 7, the former governor stressed that patriotism must be taken to the highest level. PAY ATTENTION : Standing out in social media world? Easy! "Mastering Storytelling for Social Media" workshop by Legit.ng. Join Us Live! The two-time governor, spoke while reacting to the death of over 30 soldiers in Niger state in 2023. He wondered why anyone would threaten and kill personnel while on duty and still go free. Aliyu said: Read also Tobi Adegboyega: UK judges explain why Nigerian-born pastor's deportation was approved “I am happy that the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa is here. Although, they say the CDS or the military are not involved in issues of policies. But let me say this; I have not seen any country where about 38 soldiers would be killed and there will be deafening silence afterwards. I want to recommend that anybody that kills uniform person must die.” However, to buttress the former governor's assertion, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu , who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the event, stated that all those threatening Nigeria’s peace must be brought to book whether they are in the country or abroad. PAY ATTENTION : Legit.ng Needs Your Opinion! That's your chance to change your favourite news media. Fill in a short questionnaire Source: Legit.ngMinnesota looks to stop skid vs. Bethune-Cookman
Senate approves ambassadorial nomineesPhotos: Remembering Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president2024 shook the world in more ways than one. It was the rumble of discontent as half the world went to the polls. It was the shudder that went through financial markets following the largest-ever IT outage. It was the Earth shaking, literally, as thousands danced at the biggest concert tour in history. It was the shock waves that bloodshed in Ukraine, Gaza and more than 50 other conflict zones sent across the globe. From politics to pop culture, climate to conflict, the charts below reveal seven ways 2024 sent records tumbling. Global conflict reached new heights 2024 ranks among the most violent years in recent history, according to at least two datasets tracking armed conflict around the world. Political violence hit a high in 2024 Political violence rose for the third year in a row in 2024 to nearly 180,000 events, spurred mainly by conflicts in Ukraine, the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Myanmar, according to the US-based . A "political violence event" is defined as a single altercation where force is used by one or more groups toward a political end. The upward trend in conflict is backed by separate figures from the Sweden-based , which rank 2024 as the equal-second most violent year (alongside 2020 and 2022) in nearly three decades of records. The dataset counts state-based armed conflicts with at least 25 deaths in any calendar year. With a month to go, 2024 was already the second-most violent year since WWII According to unpublished data shared with the ABC, UDCP has tallied 56 such conflicts from January to November 2024. This is three fewer than 2023, the worst year since 1946. However, the 2024 figure is based on provisional data, so could rise. "The final figure will be at least 56 but could be higher when [data for] December is added and everything is finalised," UCDP project manager Therese Pettersson told the ABC. Sarah Phillips, Professor of Global Conflict and Development at the University of Sydney, said we're seeing more conflicts around the world because weakened states have allowed or even encouraged violent groups like militia and terrorists to flourish. "We talk about states as the primary unit of power in the world, but the reality is that they have been hollowed out for decades," she says. "As state power becomes more tenuous, many leaders hold on ... by turning a blind eye to, or even facilitating, the violent groups that would seem to be their natural rivals." It's a kind of divide-and-conquer strategy aimed at fragmenting the state's opponents. But it often comes with unintended consequences, Professor Phillips explained. "This is a common tactic but the more it's used, the more it cannibalises the legitimacy of the state and feeds opposition to it, amplifying the cycle of violence." Half the world went to the polls More than 60 countries plus the 27 member states of the European Union held elections in 2024. Combined, these countries are home to some 4.2 billion people or half the world's population. 2024 was the biggest-ever election year From Senegal to South Korea, power in 2024 shifted at a sometimes dizzying pace. In the UK, the Conservative Party lost its 14-year grip on power while across the channel in Europe, far-right parties took centre stage. South Africa's African National Congress lost its majority for the first time since taking power in the country's first democratic elections in 1994. Mexico elected its first female president in a landslide. Mass government protests in Bangladesh forced the prime minister to flee following a poll boycotted by the main opposition party. In Iran, conservatives won most of the seats in a contest with the lowest voter turnout since the 1979 revolution. Meanwhile, the US is poised for a convicted felon to assume the presidency for the first time. Perhaps what emerges most clearly from the tumult is a desire for change, in whatever form. The ParlGov global research project found every single governing party facing election in a developed country this year lost vote share — a first in nearly 120 years of records, . This is the disinhibiting power of hopelessness, according to Michael Bruter, director of the Electoral Psychology Observatory at the London School of Economics and Political Science. When things feel so bad that they can't get worse, some people will vote for parties they don't believe have the solutions, . "The situation is so desperate that they want change at any cost." Taylor Swift eclipsed all concert tours in history It shattered numerous attendance records, produced the highest-grossing concert film ever and triggered seismic activity equivalent to a 2.3-magnitude earthquake with its dancing, . By virtually any measure, Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, which wrapped up in Vancouver, Canada on December 8, was an astronomical success. So below we've illustrated just one data point: Eras sold an unprecedented $US2.078 billion ($3.33 billion) in tickets, according to Swift's production company. This is more than double the previous record and eclipses every other concert tour in history, even after adjusting for inflation and the number of shows. The 20 highest-grossing concert tours in history Liz Giuffre, a senior lecturer in communication and music, and sound design at UTS, said many of Swift's biggest fans are groups that have always been big concert-goers but are often overlooked. "She has such strong appeal for young women, girls and LGBTQI+ audiences... Think about how powerful the early Beatles were," she says, pointing out that, in demographic terms, Swift and the Beatles share the same group of fans. "There's a real force in this demographic; one that seldom gets as strongly served, especially by a female artist." Ozempic's maker became a $US500 billion behemoth Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk, manufacturer of weight-loss wonder drug Ozempic, hit a market capitalisation of half-a-trillion US dollars ($800.77 billion) in 2024. Novo Nordisk is bigger than Denmark's entire economy Despite the company's history stretching back 100 years, Novo Nordisk only recently exploded into the public eye when social media videos spruiking Ozempic for rapid weight loss went viral and celebrities like Elon Musk and Kim Kardashian publicly lauded the drug for its weight-loss effects. The worldwide stampede and resulting global shortage of the injectable medicine has created serious problems for people who need the drug for its original purpose: to treat diabetes. Now, Novo Nordisk's spectacular growth has sparked new concerns in its home country. With a market value larger than Denmark's annual GDP, Novo Nordisk was the key force behind the expansion of Denmark's economy last year, fuelling fears that if Novo Nordisk stumbles or falls, . We're headed for the hottest year on record 2024 is set to be the warmest year since records began in the 1850s and the first year to average 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, . 2024 will be the first year to exceed the 1.5oC threshold Average temperatures for 16 of the past 17 months reached past the 1.5 degree threshold set by the Paris Agreement. November 2024 was 1.62 degrees above the pre-industrial level (1840-1900). The global average temperature in 2024 is virtually certain to be more than 1.55oC, compared to 1.48oC in 2023, according to ERA5 data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service. 2023 previously held the title for hottest year on record. "For 2024 to not be warmer than 2023, the average temperature anomaly for the remaining two months of this year would have to decrease by an unprecedented amount, nearly reaching zero," . Artificial intelligence sent emissions soaring Our seemingly insatiable appetite for artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency has added a whole new dimension to the problem of reducing emissions. According to one estimate, the computational power needed to sustain the rise of AI alone is . The International Energy Agency (IEA) , fuelled by the rise of AI and cryptocurrency mining. This mammoth demand for energy comes with enormous environmental impacts. Tech titans Meta, Microsoft and Google — Meta's rose by 65 per cent in two years, Google's by 48 per cent in five years and Microsoft by 40 per cent in four years. Paul Haskell-Dowland, professor of computing and security at Edith Cowan University, said investing in green technologies alongside AI might buy us enough time to reach the point where AI itself could recommend ways to solve the problem. Another shorter-term possibility with more dramatic consequences, is companies charging for AI products as a way to reduce demand. Such a move, he warned, "would also introduce significant disadvantage to those unable or unwilling to afford the 'premium' services". A Chat-GPT text query uses nearly 10 times the power of a traditional Google search; an AI-powered Google search uses roughly 26 times the energy as the old-fashioned search. But these are a drop in the ocean compared to a single bitcoin transaction. This sucks up roughly 3.3 million times as much energy as a traditional Google search. AI and cryptocurrency have turbocharged energy consumption An 'embarrassing' blunder caused the worst-ever tech outage The faulty software update by US cybersecurity company Crowdstrike threw airports into chaos, sent banks and other businesses into meltdown and from Fortune 500 companies. Crowdstrike apologised "unreservedly" for the failure after its CEO George Kurtz was called to testify before the US Congress and explain what happened. But the most embarrassing part, according to one expert, was that the dodgy update that trapped millions of users in a blue screen of death (BSOD) loop is the kind of mistake that . Reporting and data: Design and development: Related topics Armed Conflict Artificial Intelligence Australia Business, Economics and Finance Climate Change Computer Science Cryptocurrency Denmark Elections Gaza Information Technology Industry Music Music Industry Myanmar Pharmaceutical Industry Pharmaceuticals Ukraine War World Politics
Taisei Co. (OTCMKTS:TISCY) Sees Large Decrease in Short InterestSomething went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Get the latest on new manager Erik ten Hag, transfers and United team news delivered straight to your inbox every day for free Something went wrong, please try again later. Get the latest on new manager Erik ten Hag, transfers and United team news delivered straight to your inbox every day for free Who was at fault for Manchester United's heavy defeat to Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon? How did they concede from another set-piece? Why did Noussair Mazraoui make such a rash challenge to concede a penalty? Why was Kobbie Mainoo's pass for the third goal so casual? United fans had more questions than answers as they made an early exit from Old Trafford. Unfortunately, that has become a familiar feeling for supporters who have attended games this season and United were unable to give their fans something to celebrate ahead of Christmas. It was collectively a poor performance and indicative of United's form that the most consistent performer in the dressing room, Mazraoui, made such a bad tackle for the penalty. Bournemouth were leading 1-0 at...Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has died. He was 100 years old and had spent more than a year in hospice care. The Georgia peanut farmer served one turbulent term in the White House before building a reputation as a global humanitarian and champion of democracy. He defeated President Gerald Ford in 1976 promising to restore trust in government but lost to Ronald Reagan four years later amid soaring inflation, gas station lines and the Iran hostage crisis. He and his wife, Rosalynn Carter, then formed The Carter Center, and he earned a Nobel Peace Prize while making himself the most active and internationally engaged of former presidents. The Carter Center said the former president died Sunday afternoon in Plains, Georgia.
