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NEW YORK, Dec. 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces it is investigating potential breaches of fiduciary duties by the directors and officers of Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) in connection with Southwest Airlines’ information technology infrastructure impacting the Company’s business, operations, and stock price. If you currently own shares of Southwest Airlines stock, please visit the firm’s website at https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=10716 for more information. You may also contact Phillip Kim of Rosen Law Firm toll free at 866-767-3653 or via email at case@rosenlegal.com . Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm , on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/ . The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs’ Bar. Many of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. ------------------------------- Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.comWASHINGTON (AP) — American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide Tuesday due to a technical issu e just as the Christmas travel season kicks into overdrive and winter weather is threatening more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. American flights were cleared to fly by federal regulators about one hour after a national ground stop order was issued by the Federal Aviation Administration. There were 1,447 delays for flights entering or leaving the U.S. early in the day, with 28 cancellations. Snow was falling early in New York and Dallas-Fort Worth International, which is American Airlines' main hub, was getting hit with rain. Dallas-Fort Worth had the most delays, followed by Charlotte, North Carolina, Washington, New York, Chicago and Miami Because the holiday travel period lasts weeks, airports and airlines typically have smaller peak days than they do during the rush around Thanksgiving, but the grind of one hectic day followed by another takes a toll on flight crews. And any hiccups — a winter storm or a computer outage — can snowball into massive disruptions. That is how Southwest Airlines stranded 2 million travelers in December 2022, and Delta Air Lines suffered a smaller but significant meltdown after a worldwide technology outage in July caused by a faulty software update from cybersecurity company CrowdStrike. Many flights during the holidays are sold out, which makes cancellations even more disruptive than during slower periods. That is especially true for smaller budget airlines that have fewer flights and fewer options for rebooking passengers. Only the largest airlines, including American, Delta and United, have “interline agreements” that let them put stranded customers on another carrier’s flights. This will be the first holiday season since a Transportation Department rule took effect that requires airlines to give customers an automatic cash refund for a canceled or significantly delayed flight. Most air travelers were already eligible for refunds, but they often had to request them. Passengers still can ask to get rebooked, which is often a better option than a refund during peak travel periods. That’s because finding a last-minute flight on another airline yourself tends to be very expensive. Just before 7 a.m. Eastern time, the Federal Aviation Administration ordered all American Airlines flights grounded in the U.S. at the airline’s request. American had reported a technical issue affecting its entire system with millions traveling for the holiday. American said in an email that the problem Tuesday morning was caused by a vendor technology issue that “impacted systems needed to release flights.” The groundings couldn’t come at a worse time for the millions of travelers expected to fly over the next 10 days. The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen 40 million passengers over the holidays and through January 2. Airlines expect to have their busiest days on Friday and Sunday, and on Dec. 26, Dec. 27 and Dec. 29. Many flights during the holidays are sold out, which makes cancellations more disruptive than during slower periods. Even with just a brief outage, the cancellations have a cascading effect that can take days to clear up. About 90% of Americans traveling far from home over the holidays will be in cars, according to AAA. “Airline travel is just really high right now, but most people do drive to their destinations, and that is true for every holiday,” AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz said. Gasoline prices are similar to last year. The nationwide average Thursday was $3.04 a gallon, down from $3.13 a year ago, according to AAA. Charging an electric vehicle averages just under 35 cents per per kilowatt hour, but varies by state. Transportation-data firm INRIX says travel times on the nation’s highways could be up to 30% longer than normal over the holidays, with Sunday expected to see the heaviest traffic. Boston, New York City, Seattle and Washington, D.C., are the metropolitan areas primed for the greatest delays, according to the company. —— AP Reporters David Koenig, Mae Anderson and Mike Pesoli contributed to this report.

Middle East latest: Israel agrees to a ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon starting at 4 amDaily Post Nigeria EPL: He’s important to us – Guardiola on Man City star Home News Politics Metro Entertainment Sport Sport EPL: He’s important to us – Guardiola on Man City star Published on December 24, 2024 By Don Silas Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has emphasised the importance of striker Erling Haaland to the team. Speaking ahead of his side’s Premier League clash with Everton on Boxing Day, Guardiola noted that Manchester City needs to utilise the Norway international more effectively. Haaland, who claimed the Golden Boot as the Premier League’s top scorer last season, has not found the back of the net in his last three matches for Guardiola’s side. However, he started the season strongly, scoring 14 goals in 13 games across all competitions. “It’s about us; it’s not just about one player,” Guardiola said. “When Erling was so prolific, it was because of us, the team. Erling is so important to us and will continue to be. We need to use him better.” Related Topics: EPL guardiola man city Don't Miss EPL: Maresca confirms key player to miss Chelsea vs Fulham You may like EPL: Maresca confirms key player to miss Chelsea vs Fulham EPL: I’m really frustrated – Man Utd manager, Amorim EPL: Alan Shearer predict Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal Boxing Day fixtures EPL: Amorim reveals when he will pick Rashford again EPL: Leny Yoro speaks on regrets over Man United move EPL: Aina named in Team of the Week Advertise About Us Contact Us Privacy-Policy Terms Copyright © Daily Post Media Ltd

Researchers at Louisiana State University claim they have developed a method to extend the shelf life of raw eggs, improving both storage and food safety. Their patented process uses water-soluble chitosan derived from crustacean shells to create a protective barrier against moisture loss and bacterial contamination, according to information provided by the LSU Agricultural Center. Eggs that have this protective coating can remain safe and edible for up to seven weeks at room temperature, LSU food scientist Yupeng Gao told Fox News Digital. Gao, based in Baton Rouge, worked on the project alongside fellow LSU Agricultural Center food scientists. Chitosan is already used as a food preservative of fruits and vegetables, for example, according to LSU, and in certain medicines, according to the National Institutes of Health. Current processes require chitosan to be dissolved in an acidic liquid such as vinegar for eight to 10 hours before it is ready to be applied as a coating on food, researchers said. That leaves a “really strong, pungent smell when you’re coating food, especially fruits and fish,” Gao said. LSU’s new water-based dissolving process takes 15 minutes, Gao said. “So that really helps to save time and save energy when you transport those eggs from farm to the table,” she said. Also, because acidic liquids aren’t involved, there is no odor, Gao said. The result of the process is a better barrier, conserving the quality of raw eggs longer and helping them retain a “B” grade — which the U.S. Department of Agriculture categorizes as edible — for up to seven weeks at room temperature, compared with two to four weeks for eggs without the coating, according to LSU. “We can slow the water loss and also stop the bacteria from getting inside the eggs,” Gao said. This doesn’t mean, however, that someone who buys eggs at a grocery store should leave those eggs on the counter. It could be quite some time before this process makes its way to store-bought eggs. Wade Baumgartner, director of LSU’s Office of Sponsored Programs and Intellectual Property, told Fox News Digital that the university’s role isn’t to seek regulatory approvals from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or the USDA. “What we would do is probably partner with a company that was looking to commercialize that, and then they would be the ones that would move forward with the regulatory approvals if any were required,” he said. Fox News Digital reached out to the FDA and USDA. A spokesperson for the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service said eggshells are under the purview of the FDA and referred all inquiries to that office. “In general, the FDA does not comment on specific studies but evaluates them as part of the body of evidence to further our understanding about a particular issue and assist in our mission to protect public health,” an FDA spokesperson told Fox News Digital. The process isn’t exclusive to eggs, as LSU researchers said they’ve hatched successful trials on chicken, catfish and oyster, as well. Baumgartner called the egg project “a demonstration of the capability of the technology.” Now, he said, the hope is that it can be used. “There are a lot of different directions that you can take this technology,” Baumgartner said. That includes food preservation and finding a business partner who “would be interested in taking the technology, producing the product and getting it into the marketplace for an ingredient company, or somebody like that, that could move it to the commercial space.”AI-assisted wildlife surveillance is eavesdropping on endangered spider monkeysWASHINGTON (AP) — The Commerce Department’s efforts and to American-made advanced computer chips have been “inadequate” and will need more funding to stymie their ability to manufacture advanced weapons, according to a published Wednesday by the Senate’s Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. The Biden administration to limit the ability of China and Russia ability to access U.S.-made chips after nearly three years ago. The agency’s Bureau of Industry and Security, according to the report, does not have the resources to enforce export controls and has been too reliant on U.S. chip makers voluntarily complying with the rules. But the push for bolstering Commerce’s export control enforcement comes as the incoming Trump administration says it is looking to dramatically . President-elect has tapped entrepreneurs and to lead a new to dismantle parts of the federal government. The Trump transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the report. BIS’s budget, about $191 million, has remained essentially flat since 2010 when adjusted for inflation. “While BIS’ budget has been stagnant for a decade, the bureau works diligently around the clock to meet its mission and safeguard U.S. national security,” Commerce Department spokesperson Charlie Andrews said in a statement in response to the report. Andrews added that with “necessary resources from Congress” the agency would be “better equipped to address the challenges that come with our evolving national security environment.” on Wednesday, Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, chair of the subcommittee, pointed to an audit of Texas Instruments that showed the Russian military continued to acquire components from Texas Instruments through front companies in Hong Kong to illustrate how the export controls are failing as an effective tool. The committee’s findings, Blumenthal said, suggest that Texas Instruments “missed clear warning signs” that three companies in its distribution chain had been diverting products to Russia. Texas Instruments did not immediately respond to a request for comment. “While Congress must provide BIS more resources to undertake its critical mission, it is long past time for BIS to make full use of the enforcement powers Congress has conferred upon it and take aggressive steps to cut the flow of U.S. semiconductors into the Russian war machine,” Blumenthal wrote. It’s not just Texas Instruments that’s the issue. The subcommittee in September published a report that found aggregated exports from four major U.S. advanced chip manufacturers nearly doubled from 2021 to 2022 to Armenia and Georgia. Both of those countries are home to front companies known to assist Russia in acquiring advanced chips made in the U.S. despite export controls. China, meanwhile, has created “vast, barely disguised smuggling networks which enable it to continue to harness U.S. technology,” the subcommittee report asserts. Washington has been gradually expanding the number of companies affected by such export controls in China, as President Joe Biden’s administration has encouraged an expansion of investments in and manufacturing of chips in the U.S. But Chinese companies have found ways to evade export controls in part because of a lack of China subject matter experts and Chinese speakers assigned to Commerce’s export control enforcement. The agency’s current budget limits the number of international end-use checks, or physical verification overseas of distributors or companies receiving American-made chips that are the supposed end users of products. Currently, Commerce has only 11 export control officers spread around the globe to conduct such checks. The committee made several recommendations in its report, including Congress allocating more money for hiring additional personnel to enforce export controls, imposing larger fines on companies that violate controls and requiring periodic reviews of advanced chip companies’ export control plans by outside entities. ___ Boak reported from West Palm Beach, Florida. Aamer Madhani And Josh Boak, The Associated Press

Manchester City transfer latest: Real Madrid star 'rejected summer move' to Pep Guardiola, Premier League

NoneToys Market in Europe to Grow by USD 9.27 Billion (2024-2028), Driven by Premiumization and AI-Influenced Market Trends - Technavio

In an unexpected move that has sent shockwaves through the tech world, Samsung has announced a staggering 80% price reduction on their flagship foldable phones, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6. This unprecedented flash sale, exclusively available on the official Samsung website, is set to expire tonight. Samsung, the global tech giant, has surprised consumers with a massive 80% discount on their latest foldable smartphones, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6. This limited-time offer, available only on Samsung’s official website, presents a golden opportunity for tech enthusiasts to own these cutting-edge devices at a fraction of their original price. The sale, which commenced earlier today, is scheduled to end at midnight tonight, creating a sense of urgency among potential buyers . This aggressive pricing strategy is speculated to be driven by several factors, including clearing out inventory to make way for upcoming models, boosting sales figures before the year’s end, and attracting a wider customer base to the foldable phone market. Whatever the motivation, this sale represents an incredible opportunity for consumers to experience the future of mobile technology at an incredibly affordable price. A Deep Dive into the Discounted Devices Galaxy Z Fold 6: Originally priced at around $1800, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is a powerhouse that unfolds into a tablet-sized display, offering unparalleled multitasking capabilities and immersive viewing experiences. With its powerful processor, advanced camera system, and long-lasting battery, the Z Fold 6 is designed for productivity and entertainment on the go. Galaxy Z Flip 6: The Galaxy Z Flip 6, with its stylish clamshell design and compact form factor, has captured the hearts of those seeking a blend of fashion and functionality. Initially retailing for around $1000, the Z Flip 6 boasts a vibrant cover screen for quick notifications and selfies, a flexible main display for immersive viewing, and a robust hinge mechanism for durability. Unpacking the 80% Discount: What Does it Mean for Consumers? With an 80% discount, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 could be yours for around $360, while the Z Flip 6 could be snatched for approximately $200. This drastic price drop makes these premium foldable phones more accessible than ever before. To put this into perspective, imagine purchasing a flagship phone with cutting-edge technology, a foldable display, and top-of-the-line features for the price of a mid-range device. This is the reality that Samsung is offering with this limited-time sale. I’ve always been fascinated by foldable phones, and I had the opportunity to test both the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5 earlier this year. The Fold 5 impressed me with its expansive screen real estate, making multitasking a breeze. I could easily run multiple apps side-by-side, watch videos in a larger format, and even use it as a mini tablet for reading and browsing. The Flip 5, on the other hand, charmed me with its compact size and unique design. It was incredibly satisfying to flip it open to answer calls and fold it shut to end them. While I haven’t personally used the Galaxy Z Fold 6 or Z Flip 6, I can only imagine the improvements and refinements Samsung has made over their predecessors. And with this incredible discount, I’m seriously tempted to grab one myself! Why This Sale is a Game Changer Seizing the Opportunity: How to Take Advantage of the Sale To take advantage of this incredible offer, visit Samsung’s official website before midnight tonight. Browse their selection of Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 models, choose your preferred color and storage option, and complete your purchase before the sale ends. Remember: This is a limited-time offer, and stock is likely to be limited. Don’t miss out on this chance to own a piece of the future at an unprecedented price. Beyond the Sale: What’s Next for Samsung’s Foldables? While this sale is undoubtedly exciting, it also raises questions about Samsung’s future plans for their foldable phone lineup. Are we going to see new models launched soon? Will Samsung continue to push the boundaries of foldable technology with even more innovative designs and features? Only time will tell. In the meantime, this sale presents a golden opportunity for consumers to experience the magic of foldable phones without breaking the bank. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, a productivity seeker, or a fashion-conscious individual, there’s a Samsung foldable phone waiting for you at an incredible price. Don’t miss out!

EAST LANSING, Mich. — The sight was a common one for Andrew Kolpacki. For many a Sunday, he would watch NFL games on TV and see quarterbacks putting their hands on their helmets, desperately trying to hear the play call from the sideline or booth as tens of thousands of fans screamed at the tops of their lungs. When the NCAA's playing rules oversight committee this past spring approved the use of coach-to-player helmet communications in games for the 2024 season, Kolpacki, Michigan State's head football equipment manager, knew the Spartans' QBs and linebackers were going to have a problem. "There had to be some sort of solution," he said. As it turns out, there was. And it was right across the street. Kolpacki reached out to Tamara Reid Bush, a mechanical engineering professor who not only heads the school's Biomechanical Design Research Laboratory but also is a football season ticket-holder. Kolpacki "showed me some photos and said that other teams had just put duct tape inside the (earhole), and he asked me, 'Do you think we can do anything better than duct tape,?" Bush said. "And I said, 'Oh, absolutely.'" Bush and Rylie DuBois, a sophomore biosystems engineering major and undergraduate research assistant at the lab, set out to produce earhole inserts made from polylactic acid, a bio-based plastic, using a 3D printer. Part of the challenge was accounting for the earhole sizes and shapes that vary depending on helmet style. Once the season got underway with a Friday night home game against Florida Atlantic on Aug. 30, the helmets of starting quarterback Aidan Chiles and linebacker Jordan Turner were outfitted with the inserts, which helped mitigate crowd noise. DuBois attended the game, sitting in the student section. "I felt such a strong sense of accomplishment and pride," DuBois said. "And I told all my friends around me about how I designed what they were wearing on the field." All told, Bush and DuBois have produced around 180 sets of the inserts, a number that grew in part due to the variety of helmet designs and colors that are available to be worn by Spartan players any given Saturday. Plus, the engineering folks have been fine-tuning their design throughout the season. Dozens of Bowl Subdivision programs are doing something similar. In many cases, they're getting 3D-printed earhole covers from XO Armor Technologies, which provides on-site, on-demand 3D printing of athletic wearables. The Auburn, Alabama-based company has donated its version of the earhole covers to the equipment managers of programs ranging from Georgia and Clemson to Boise State and Arizona State in the hope the schools would consider doing business with XO Armor in the future, said Jeff Klosterman, vice president of business development. XO Armor first was approached by the Houston Texans at the end of last season about creating something to assist quarterback C.J. Stroud in better hearing play calls delivered to his helmet during road games. XO Armor worked on a solution and had completed one when it received another inquiry: Ohio State, which had heard Michigan State was moving forward with helmet inserts, wondered if XO Armor had anything in the works. "We kind of just did this as a one-off favor to the Texans and honestly didn't forecast it becoming our viral moment in college football," Klosterman said. "We've now got about 60 teams across college football and the NFL wearing our sound-deadening earhole covers every weekend." The rules state that only one player for each team is permitted to be in communication with coaches while on the field. For the Spartans, it's typically Chiles on offense and Turner on defense. Turner prefers to have an insert in both earholes, but Chiles has asked that the insert be used in only one on his helmet. Chiles "likes to be able to feel like he has some sort of outward exposure," Kolpacki said. Exposure is something the sophomore signal-caller from Long Beach, California, had in away games against Michigan and Oregon this season. Michigan Stadium welcomed 110,000-plus fans for the Oct. 26 matchup between the in-state rivals. And while just under 60,000 packed Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon, for the Ducks' 31-10 win over Michigan State three weeks earlier, it was plenty loud. "The Big Ten has some pretty impressive venues," Kolpacki said. "It can be just deafening," he said. "That's what those fans are there for is to create havoc and make it difficult for coaches to get a play call off." Something that is a bit easier to handle thanks to Bush and her team. She called the inserts a "win-win-win" for everyone. "It's exciting for me to work with athletics and the football team," she said. "I think it's really exciting for our students as well to take what they've learned and develop and design something and see it being used and executed." Get local news delivered to your inbox!METAIRIE, La. (AP) — Dejounte Murray plans to return to the New Orleans Pelicans ' lineup on Wednesday night for the first time since fracturing his left hand in a season-opening victory over Chicago on Oct. 23. And when Murray takes the court against the Toronto Raptors , his mother will be on his mind. After practice on Tuesday, Murray discussed his impending return and disclosed more details about the previously unspecified “personal matters” that caused him to leave the team during the final days of the preseason. His mother had a stroke, he said. “It was tough to leave and go deal with that. As she got better, she wanted me to come play,” Murray said of his last-minute decision to start against Chicago. He added that his hand injury near the end of that game was God's way of telling him, “‘Nah, you need to stay with your mom.’” “I was more concerned about my mother. That was my priority,” Murray continued. “I wasn’t really worried about my recovery.” Murray's mother has recovered well, he said, while he is “healthy and ready to help this team.” “I’m ready to hoop. Play for my mother — she’s going to be watching," Murray said. “I’m ready to compete, bring that winning spirit.” The Pelicans (4-14) certainly could use the help, having lost 14 of 16 games since opening the season with a pair of victories. Injuries have ravaged the roster. At times, all five starters have been out. Star power forward Zion Williamson has missed 12 games this season — one with an illness and 11 with a hamstring injury. Herb Jones has been sidelined by a shoulder strain and Brandon Ingram's status is in doubt after he sat out practice on Tuesday with calf soreness that also sidelined him during a loss on Monday night at Indiana. But at least two starters — Murray and fellow guard CJ McCollum — are expected to play against the Raptors. “I don’t care how many games we’ve lost. I just know every time I step on the floor I feel like we can win games,” said Murray, who had 14 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds in his lone game with the Pelicans. "That’s just my mentality, and I feel like it can carry over to a lot of guys.” AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA