m bet 999 A groundbreaking study from the Institute of Science Tokyo may change the future of robotic flight control by utilizing bio-inspired wind sensing techniques. Researchers have developed a method that achieves an impressive 99% accuracy in detecting wind direction using flexible wings equipped with strain sensors. This innovative approach mimics the natural strain receptors found in birds and insects, offering new avenues for enhancing the performance of flapping-wing aerial robots in varied wind conditions. Hummingbird-inspired wings Birds and insects have specialized mechanical receptors on their wings, which collect strain sensory data. This natural adaptation helps them respond to changes in wind, body movement, and environmental factors, thus fine-tuning their flight. Inspired by these biological mechanisms, the researchers are exploring how strain sensing in robotic wings can provide valuable information about surrounding airflow. Associate Professor Hiroto Tanaka and his team investigated the potential of strain sensors attached to flexible wings designed to mimic those of hummingbirds. The experiments were conducted in a wind tunnel that simulated hovering flight conditions, with researchers focusing on accurately discerning wind directions during tethered flapping. “Small aerial robots often struggle with traditional flow-sensing technologies due to strict weight and size restrictions,” Tanaka explained. “Therefore, utilizing simple wing strain sensors to recognize flow conditions directly without adding specialized equipment would be incredibly advantageous.” The team attached seven commercially available strain gauges to a flexible wing structure replicating hummingbird wings. These wings, made from tapered shafts and a wing film, were paired with a flapping mechanism powered by a DC motor, producing a rhythmic flapping motion at a pace of 12 cycles per second. The researchers tested this setup in the wind tunnel with a gentle breeze of 0.8 m/s, measuring wing strain while varying the wind direction through seven angles (0°, 15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 75°, and 90°) as well as under still conditions. In a novel application of machine learning, the gathered strain data was analyzed using a convolutional neural network (CNN) model to classify the different wind conditions based on the wing strain measurements. 99% accurate The results were remarkable: the system achieved a classification accuracy of 99.5% with complete flapping cycle data. Even when only analyzing 0.2 cycles, the accuracy remained strong at 85.2%. When testing with just one strain gauge, accuracy ranged between 95.2% and 98.8% with full cycle data, while it dropped to 65.6% or lower when using shorter data segments. Interestingly, when the researchers removed inner wing shafts, the accuracy of wind direction detection diminished slightly by 4.4% for short data sets and 0.5% for complete cycles with all strain gauges. This decline was more pronounced when only one strain gauge was utilized, indicating that the design of the wing structure positively impacts wind-sensing capabilities. “This research enhances our understanding of how hovering birds and insects can finely tune their flight through strain sensing in their flapping wings, which is crucial for responsive flight control,” Tanaka concluded. The findings suggest that similar systems could be integrated into biomimetic flapping-wing robots, using basic strain gauges to improve their adaptability and efficiency in real-world flying conditions. As robotic technology evolves, this sustainable and efficient approach to wind detection marks a significant leap forward, opening doors to more sophisticated aerial robotics guided by natural principles.

BOGOTA, Colombia -- An Argentine military officer who was arrested in Venezuela earlier this month has been charged with terrorism, Venezuela’s attorney general said Friday. In a statement published on Instagram, Attorney General Tarek William Saab accused the officer, Nahuel Gallo, of “being part of a group of people who tried to commit destabilizing and terrorist acts (in Venezuela) with the support of international far-right groups.” In a press conference on Friday, Argentine Security Minister Patricia Bullrich described the charges as “another lie” by Venezuela’s government, and said that Gallo should be returned to Argentina “immediately.” The case has ramped up tensions between Venezuela’s socialist government and the right-wing administration of Argentine President Javier Milei, whose embassy in Caracas is currently sheltering five high-profile opposition activists and is surrounded by Venezuelan security forces. Gallo, a corporal in Argentina’s Gendarmería security force, was detained by Venezuelan officials on Dec. 8 after he showed up at an immigration office along Venezuela’s border with Colombia and sought permission to enter the country. Gallo’s relatives said that he had traveled to Venezuela to visit his wife, who is Venezuelan and was in the country to spend some time with her mother. They have published an invitation letter that was sent to Gallo, and said he was on vacation at the time of his arrest. Venezuela broke diplomatic relations with Argentina in August after Milei and several other Latin American leaders refused to recognize the reelection in July of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Argentina’s diplomats were expelled, but the five opposition activists, who had sought refuge at the ambassador’s residence to avoid arrest, remained in the building after they were denied safe passage out of Venezuela. The activists, who have been holed up in the embassy since March, recently said that Venezuelan security forces have cut off electricity and water to the residence in a bid to pressure them to leave the building. Venezuela officials have denied those accusations, and said that the activists used the Argentine embassy to plan terrorist acts. The Venezuelan human rights group Foro Penal said earlier this week that 19 foreigners are currently being held in Venezuela as political prisoners. In September, two Spanish citizens who were on vacation in the south of Venezuela were arrested and accused of being part of a plot to overthrow President Maduro. They were arrested just days after Spain’s parliament recognized opposition candidate Edmundo González as the winner of the election.Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro is part of a rising group of Democrats who are proudly showing their faith

As science continues its evolution, discoveries and technologies can act like a master key that open doors leading to novel advancements. Artificial intelligence is one such key, making innovations possible by solving complex problems, automating tasks and enabling research that would have been impossible, or very time-consuming, without it. But do we want to do research on all topics, and shall we try the AI master key on every door? To explore this question, let’s consider the use of AI by genomics experts as an example. In recent years, genomics experts have added unbelievable depth to what we know about the world and ourselves. For example, genetics researchers have revealed facts about when certain animals and plants were domesticated. In another example, researchers used DNA from 30,000-year-old permafrost to create fertile samples of a plant called narrow-leafed campion. Importantly, genetic engineering has facilitated extraordinary advances in the treatment of complicated conditions, such as sickle-cell anemia. Thanks to AI, we are witnessing a dramatic increase in the pace and scalability of genomic exploration. But given the risks and possible consequences of AI use in science, should we rush headlong into using AI in all kinds of projects? One relevant example is research on Neanderthals, our closest relatives, who lived about 40,000 years ago. Neanderthals have been studied for several years now through genetic investigation of their fossils and their DNA. Genetic engineering can potentially use ancient DNA- and genome- editing methods to re-create a Neanderthal or aspects of a Neanderthal’s genetics and physiology. To do this, scientists could start by figuring out the DNA sequence of a Neanderthal by comparing it with the DNA of modern humans, because they are closely related. Then, scientists could use the gene-editing tool known as CRISPR to swap out parts of human DNA with Neanderthal DNA. This process would require a lot of trial and error and might not succeed soon. But based on what we know about genetics, if something is possible, AI can help make it happen faster, cheaper and with less effort. Scientists are excited about these developments because they could facilitate new discoveries and open up many research opportunities in genetic research. With or without AI, research on Neanderthals will proceed. But the extraordinary power of AI could give the final push to these discoveries and facilitate this kind of resurrection. At that point, the scientific community must develop norms and guidelines about how to treat these resurrected beings with dispositions very similar to humans. We would need to carefully consider their rights and well-being almost in the same way as when humans are involved and not as research subjects or artifacts of scientific curiosity. These ethical issues are discussed in more detail in a new paper published in the journal Nature Machine Intelligence. A more holistic question to consider is: Should we prioritize the use of resource-intensive AI, researchers’ time and public funds to resurrect extinct beings? Or should we invest these resources into conserving species that are critically endangered today to prevent biodiversity from more degradation? Hosseini is an assistant professor in the department of preventive medicine at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. He wrote this for The Chicago Tribune . Get local news delivered to your inbox!

NASA's stuck astronauts hit 6 months in space. Just 2 more to goAsset manager Browning West LP sold a quarter of its stake in Gildan Activewear Inc. GIL-T for $181-million this month after leading a successful campaign in the spring to reinstate the T-shirt maker’s founder and replace the board. Browning West is the latest in a string of Gildan’s institutional investors to sell a portion of their holdings after the Montreal-based company’s share price soared subsequent to the return of chief executive officer Glenn Chamandy in May. In U.S. regulatory filings, Browning West said it needed to take profits after Gildan’s success made it an outsized holding in the Los Angeles-based fund manager’s portfolio. Last December, Gildan’s board dismissed Mr. Chamandy, then aged 61, over succession issues after 40 years at the company and two decades as chief executive officer. Gildan is one of the world’s largest clothing manufacturers, with a $10.7-billion market capitalization. In January, Browning West launched a campaign to name a new board and bring back Mr. Chamandy, and revealed a significant stake in the company. Normally low-profile fund managers such as Jarislowsky Fraser Ltd., Turtle Creek Asset Management Inc. and Anson Funds joined the crusade and issued a series of public statements supporting the former CEO. In May, after a bitter proxy battle that cost the company $82-million, roughly 85 per cent of Gildan shareholders voted to replace the board and hand control back to Mr. Chamandy. Gildan’s stock price is up by 65 per cent since the boardroom battle began in January. The shares blew through analysts’ price targets this fall as international sales rose and several competitors stumbled, including Berkshire Hathaway Inc.-owned Fruit of the Loom Ltd. In recent months, filings showed that Jarislowsky, Turtle Creek and Anson all sold a portion of their Gildan holdings. Two other significant shareholders, Fidelity parent FMR LLC and Coliseum Capital Management LLC, also sold more than a million Gildan shares this fall. This week, Browning West said it sold approximately 2.6 million Gildan shares at $69.50 each. In a filing, the fund manager said it took profits “to effectuate a rebalancing of Browning West’s portfolio in light of the significant appreciation in [Gildan’s] stock price.” Browning West ”continues to have a positive view on [Gildan’s] future performance,” the filing says. The fund manager continues to own 7.03 million Gildan shares, or 4.5 per cent of the company, a stake worth approximately $485-million. In late November, prior to the recent stock sale, Browning West managing partner and chief investment officer Usman Nabi said in an e-mail: “We believe Gildan has a strong value creation path ahead of it and look forward to being an engaged and supportive shareholder for many years.” “We are proud of the role Browning West played to rebuild the governance of Gildan, and to restore Glenn Chamandy’s visionary leadership to an iconic Canadian and Quebec champion,” Mr. Nabi said. Since Mr. Chamandy’s return to Gildan, his strategy has included ramping up the company’s share-buyback program. Since May, Gildan has bought back 14.3 million of its own shares. The company’s current repurchase plan, set in August, allows Gildan to buy back up to 16 million shares or 10 per cent of its float by August, 2025.

A power outage at SpaceX's California facility led to a temporary loss of ground control during the historic Polaris Dawn mission. This incident has brought attention to potential conflicts of interest and the lack of disclosure regulations for private space companies. The outage occurred due to a cooling system leak that triggered a power surge, rendering SpaceX mission control unable to command the Dragon spacecraft. Communication was maintained via the Starlink satellite network despite this setback. Jared Isaacman's nomination as NASA administrator intensifies concerns due to his SpaceX ties. Experts highlight the need for transparency to ensure safety and address potential conflicts, as the regulatory environment currently lacks sufficient oversight. (With inputs from agencies.)Pizza Umani, which travelled around hotpots in Newcastle and Cranfield and specialised in artisanal sourdough pizzas took to social media to inform their customers they will no longer open. "It is with heavy heart I write this, Pizza Umami ltd has closed down. I wish we didn't have to, but spiralling costs have made the business too difficult to continue operating. Thank-you to staff, customers and suppliers for working with us over the years,” the pizza place wrote on Facebook. The news was greeted with disappointment with several customers writing how the pie was the “best pizza they’ve ever had” and the spot “made a lot of people happy”. "We are so sorry to hear this! We wish you the best with whatever you do in the future,” wrote one fan, while another said: “So sorry you've had to take this sad decision, Dessie. You don't need telling yours were thee best pizzas and they'll be sorely missed. Take care.” Another said: “So gutted to hear this my friends! Thinking of you all! What a team you were and best pizzas for sure! Can’t believe we won’t be seinf u any any more events! So so sad”. Pizza Umani appeared at several outdoor events across Co Down ever since it was formed in 2018.None

AP Business SummaryBrief at 2:10 p.m. ESTThe best women’s snow pants for skiing, sledding and beyond

US News Today Live Updates on December 18, 2024 : US obesity rate declines for the first time in a decade, weight-loss drugs play key roleGrey Market Labs announces $8M Series A funding led by Capri Ventures to accelerate growth of its Replica Platform - First of its kind "Secure Environment as a Service"

NoneEditor’s note: A&M’s Chancellor John Sharp’s announcement that he will retire in 2025 is The Eagle’s No. 4 news story of 2024. This is part of a daily series of the top 10 stories in Bryan-College Station and the Brazos Valley this year. Stories will appear daily with No. 1 running in the Dec. 31 edition. Longtime Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp announced on July 1 that he would retire on June 30, 2025. During his 13-plus years as chancellor, Sharp became one of the most transformative figures in A&M history as he was able to take the A&M System to new heights under his leadership by wielding his political prowess to the advantage of his beloved school. Sharp is A&M Class of 1972 and was a member of the Squadron Six “Flying Tigers.” He had no prior experience in higher education, but used his career in Texas politics to his advantage. Sharp said it doesn’t hurt to be a member of “the club.” “I hope I’m remembered as the chancellor that made everybody realize that A&M ain’t nobody’s little brother anymore,” Sharp told The Eagle the day he announced his retirement. “And 14 years ago, we were, and we ain’t anymore. We are the school of choice for this state. Period.” One of Sharp’s original main goals was to land A&M a law school, something A&M leaders had sought for decades. He accomplished that less than a year into the job when A&M spent $25 million to buy operational control of Texas Wesleyan School of Law in Fort Worth. Sharp didn’t stop there, though. The law school purchase only opened the door for him to do more. The epicenter of his work as chancellor has been the RELLIS campus in Bryan. Since Sharp announced the transformation of the campus to become a technology and testing research hub in May 2016, the A&M System and state have invested over $1 billion in various initiatives. RELLIS has now become a hub for academic, government and industry partners to collaborate in applied research for various initiatives. The campus is home to a 5G research testbed, the Bush Combat Development Complex featuring a hypersonic testing site and will soon be home to A&M’s Semiconductor Institute and possibly a modular nuclear reactor. In 2022, the Bryan City Council renamed Texas 47 — the road that leads to RELLIS — as John Sharp Parkway for his efforts at the campus. “It’ll be a national laboratory for the Pentagon or somebody one of these days,” Sharp said of RELLIS. A&M is still in the process of its national search to find Sharp’s successor. Sharp decided to stay on for a year since he still has several irons in the fire and the 2025 state legislative session looming. The lengthy transition period also has allowed a longer runway for regents to find Sharp’s successor. “It’s an understatement to say we have giant boots to fill,” Regent Bill Mahomes said when Sharp retired. “John Sharp is an Aggie icon — bigger than life — and we all are the beneficiaries of his bold leadership. He has made the System smarter, more innovative, and more responsive to the needs of Texans in every corner of the state.”AP News Summary at 5:47 p.m. EST

ORRVILLE, Ohio , Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The J. M. Smucker Company (the "Company") (NYSE: SJM) today announced the pricing terms for its previously announced cash tender offers (each, an "Offer" and collectively, the "Offers") to purchase up to $300 million aggregate purchase price, not including accrued and unpaid interest (the "Offer Cap"), of the Company's validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) notes set forth below (the "Notes") using a "waterfall" methodology under which the Company will accept the Notes in order of their respective acceptance priority levels noted in the table below (the "Acceptance Priority Levels"). The Offers are being made pursuant to an Offer to Purchase, dated December 3, 2024 (the "Offer to Purchase"), which sets forth a description of the terms of the Offers. As of 10:00 a.m. New York City time, on December 17, 2024 (the "Price Determination Time"), the Company expects to accept for purchase pursuant to the Offers the full amount of the 2.750% Senior Notes due 2041 (which have an Acceptance Priority Level of 1), the full amount of the 3.550% Senior Notes due 2050 (which have an Acceptance Priority Level of 2) and a portion of the 2.125% Senior Notes due 2032 (which have an Acceptance Priority Level of 3) validly tendered and not validly withdrawn at or prior to the Early Tender Time (as defined below) on a prorated basis as described in the Offer to Purchase, using a proration factor of approximately 69.9%, so that the aggregate purchase price does not exceed the Offer Cap. The 4.375% Senior Notes due 2045 (which have an Acceptance Priority Level of 4) and the 5.900% Senior Notes due 2028 (which have an Acceptance Priority Level of 5) will not be accepted for purchase. The "Total Consideration" to be paid for the Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) at or prior to 5:00 p.m. , New York City time, on December 16, 2024 (the "Early Tender Time") and accepted for purchase pursuant to the Offers, includes an early tender premium of $30 per $1,000 principal amount of Notes so tendered and accepted for purchase (the "Early Tender Premium"), which will not constitute an additional or increased payment. In addition to the applicable Total Consideration, holders who validly tender and do not validly withdraw their Notes, and whose Notes are accepted for purchase in the Offers will also be paid any applicable accrued and unpaid interest up to, but excluding, December 19, 2024 (the "Early Settlement Date"). The Total Consideration has been determined in the manner described in the Offer to Purchase by reference to a fixed spread for each of the Notes over the applicable yield to maturity of the applicable U.S. Treasury Security (the "Reference Treasury Security"), determined at the Price Determination Time as specified in the table below and on the cover page of the Offer to Purchase in the column entitled "Reference U.S. Treasury Security." The table below includes only the Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) at or prior to the Early Tender Time that the Company expects to accept for purchase pursuant to the Offers. Acceptance Priority Level (1) Title of Security CUSIP Number Outstanding Principal Amount Reference U.S. Treasury Security (2) Bloomberg Reference Page Reference Yield Fixed Spread (bps) Total Consideration (3) 1 2.750% Senior Notes due 2041 832696AV0 $300,000,000 4.625% UST due 11/15/2044 FIT 1 4.666 % +85 $700.18 2 3.550% Senior Notes due 2050 832696AT5 $300,000,000 4.250% UST due 8/15/2054 FIT 1 4.596 % +95 $730.52 3 2.125% Senior Notes due 2032 832696AU2 $500,000,000 4.250% UST due 11/15/2034 FIT 1 4.391 % +50 $833.04 The Company is offering to accept the maximum principal amount of validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) Notes in the Offer for which the aggregate purchase price, not including accrued and unpaid interest, does not exceed $300 million using a "waterfall" methodology under which the Company will accept the Notes in order of their respective Acceptance Priority Levels noted in the table above. The Total Consideration for Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) prior to or at the Early Tender Time and accepted for purchase is calculated using the applicable fixed spread as described in the Offer to Purchase. The Early Tender Premium of $30 per $1,000 principal amount is included in the Total Consideration for each series of Notes set forth above and does not constitute an additional or increased payment. Holders of Notes will also receive accrued and unpaid interest on Notes accepted for purchase up to, but excluding, the Early Settlement Date. Per $1,000 principal amount of Notes. Includes the Early Tender Premium of $30 per $1,000 principal amount of Notes. All conditions of the Offers were deemed satisfied by the Company, or timely waived by the Company. Accordingly, the Company expects to accept for purchase, and pay for, $300 million aggregate purchase price of Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) on the Early Settlement Date. Although the Offers are scheduled to expire at 5:00 p.m. , New York City time, on January 2, 2025, unless extended or terminated, because the aggregate purchase price of Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) prior to or at the Early Tender Time exceeded the Offer Cap, there will be no Final Settlement Date (as defined in the Offer to Purchase), and no Notes tendered after the Early Tender Time will be accepted for purchase. Notes tendered and not purchased on December 19, 2024 (the "Early Settlement Date") will be returned to holders promptly after the Early Settlement Date. This press release is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell securities. No offer, solicitation, purchase or sale will be made in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful. The Offers are being made solely pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC are serving as Dealer Managers for the Offers (each, a "Dealer Manager" and together, the "Dealer Managers"). Questions regarding the Offers may be directed to Goldman Sachs at (800) 828-3182 (toll free) or (212) 357-­1452 (collect) or to J.P. Morgan at (866) 834-4666 (toll free) or (212) 834-3554 (collect). Requests for the Offer to Purchase or the documents incorporated by reference therein may be directed to D.F. King & Co., Inc., which is acting as the Tender Agent and Information Agent for the Offers, at SJM@dfking.com or the following telephone numbers: banks and brokers at (212) 269-5550; all others toll free at (866) 620-2535. The J. M. Smucker Company Forward-Looking Statements This press release ("Release") includes certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws. The forward-looking statements may include statements concerning our current expectations, estimates, assumptions and beliefs concerning future events, conditions, plans and strategies that are not historical fact. Any statement that is not historical in nature is a forward-looking statement and may be identified by the use of words and phrases such as "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "intend," "will," "plan," "strive" and similar phrases. Federal securities laws provide a safe harbor for forward-looking statements to encourage companies to provide prospective information. We are providing this cautionary statement in connection with the safe harbor provisions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made, when evaluating the information presented in this Release, as such statements are by nature subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of our control and could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements and from our historical results and experience. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following: our ability to successfully integrate Hostess Brands' operations and employees and to implement plans and achieve financial forecasts with respect to the Hostess Brands' business; our ability to realize the anticipated benefits, including synergies and cost savings, related to the Hostess Brands acquisition, including the possibility that the expected benefits will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected time period; disruption from the acquisition of Hostess Brands by diverting the attention of our management and making it more difficult to maintain business and operational relationships; the negative effects of the acquisition of Hostess Brands on the market price of our common shares; the amount of the costs, fees, expenses, and charges and the risk of litigation related to the acquisition of Hostess Brands; the effect of the acquisition of Hostess Brands on our business relationships, operating results, ability to hire and retain key talent, and business generally; disruptions or inefficiencies in our operations or supply chain, including any impact caused by product recalls, political instability, terrorism, geopolitical conflicts (including the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and Israel and Hamas), extreme weather conditions, natural disasters, pandemics, work stoppages or labor shortages (including potential strikes along the U.S. East and Gulf coast ports and potential impacts related to the duration of a recent strike at our Buffalo, New York manufacturing facility), or other calamities; risks related to the availability of, and cost inflation in, supply chain inputs, including labor, raw materials, commodities, packaging, and transportation; the impact of food security concerns involving either our products or our competitors' products, including changes in consumer preference, consumer litigation, actions by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or other agencies, and product recalls; risks associated with derivative and purchasing strategies we employ to manage commodity pricing and interest rate risks; the availability of reliable transportation on acceptable terms; our ability to achieve cost savings related to our restructuring and cost management programs in the amounts and within the time frames currently anticipated; our ability to generate sufficient cash flow to continue operating under our capital deployment model, including capital expenditures, debt repayment to meet our deleveraging objectives, dividend payments, and share repurchases; a change in outlook or downgrade in our public credit ratings by a rating agency below investment grade; our ability to implement and realize the full benefit of price changes, and the impact of the timing of the price changes to profits and cash flow in a particular period; the success and cost of marketing and sales programs and strategies intended to promote growth in our business, including product innovation; general competitive activity in the market, including competitors' pricing practices and promotional spending levels; our ability to attract and retain key talent; the concentration of certain of our businesses with key customers and suppliers, including primary or single-source suppliers of certain key raw materials and finished goods, and our ability to manage and maintain key relationships; impairments in the carrying value of goodwill, other intangible assets, or other long-lived assets or changes in the useful lives of other intangible assets or other long-lived assets; the impact of new or changes to existing governmental laws and regulations and their application; the outcome of tax examinations, changes in tax laws, and other tax matters; a disruption, failure, or security breach of our or our suppliers' information technology systems, including, but not limited to, ransomware attacks; foreign currency exchange rate and interest rate fluctuations; and risks related to other factors described under "Risk Factors" in other reports and statements we have filed with the SEC. We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements to reflect new events or circumstances. About The J. M. Smucker Company At The J.M. Smucker Co., it is our privilege to make food people and pets love by offering a diverse family of brands available across North America . We are proud to lead in the coffee, peanut butter, fruit spreads, frozen handheld, sweet baked goods, dog snacks, and cat food categories by offering brands consumers trust for themselves and their families each day, including Folgers ® , Dunkin' ® , Café Bustelo ® , Jif ® , Uncrustables ® , Smucker's ® , Hostess ® , Milk-Bone ® , and Meow Mix ® . Through our unwavering commitment to producing quality products, operating responsibly and ethically, and delivering on our Purpose, we will continue to grow our business while making a positive impact on society. For more information, please visit jmsmucker.com . The J. M. Smucker Company is the owner of all trademarks referenced herein, except for Dunkin' ® , which is a trademark of DD IP Holder LLC. The Dunkin'® brand is licensed to The J. M. Smucker Company for packaged coffee products sold in retail channels, such as grocery stores, mass merchandisers, club stores, e-commerce and drug stores, as well as in certain away from home channels. This information does not pertain to products for sale in Dunkin' ® restaurants. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-j-m-smucker-company-announces-pricing-for-cash-tender-offers-302334213.html SOURCE The J.M. Smucker Co.Workhorse Group Inc. stock remains steady Thursday, still outperforms market

Put politics aside and act on online harms, mother of sextortion victim tells MPs

RIYADH: Spaniard Gus Franco moved to Saudi Arabia out of curiosity in early 2024 and soon fell in love with its rich culture, documenting his experiences and sharing his adventures with millions of viewers on social media. Franco spoke to Arab News about how he had searched for accurate information about the Kingdom before his move, only to find media overshadowed by stereotypes. To his surprise, he found the reality was “completely different” to the stereotypes, which inspired him to create his own content and change the narrative. “That’s how ‘Gus in Saudi’ was born: a project to showcase the Kingdom through a relatable lens,” he said. “The results speak for themselves: almost 100 million views and followers from over 60 nationalities and countless messages from people saying they now want to visit or work here.” The content creator and business consultant says his inspiration comes from things that catch his attention: traditions and places as well as Saudi and international followers who guide him through the city and his content. “Saudi Arabia stands out for its unique blend of tradition and modernity, which coexist in fascinating ways. The pride in preserving traditions, combined with the excitement of Vision 2030, creates a dynamic and evolving atmosphere. “My Arab followers have been incredibly supportive. They were the first to encourage me and help me refine my content. Even critiques are constructive and teach me about cultural nuances I hadn’t considered.” Franco has become so fond of the Kingdom, that he is now writing a book inspired by his travels. “I’ve grown attached to this country and feel that through my work, I can contribute to its image and progress... I still have many projects I want to develop. For instance, I’ve written a 400-page book about the country, which I’m still refining.” From a small Spanish town to the bustling city of Riyadh, he said he has always had the urge to explore beyond his surroundings, taking over 100 trips globally to more than 150 cities. “Living in the UK and Belgium shaped my curiosity about regions I knew less about, especially the Middle East. “Saudi Arabia stood out for its rich traditions and rapid transformations. Thanks to a government program, I arrived nearly a year ago, and it’s been a journey of discovery and growth ever since.” Franco says life in the Kingdom feels “both familiar and distinct”, noting the city layout, reminiscent of an American style, is car-centric, with social gatherings happening in specific “plazas” or “stirahas”. He added: “Weekdays follow a structured rhythm of work, gym, and routine, while weekends come alive with vibrant and comforting activities: whether it’s having dinner at 2 a.m., grabbing coffee at 10 p.m., or heading out for a picnic (kashta) in the desert. These experiences add a unique charm to life in Saudi.” Franco mentioned the rich history between Spain and Saudi Arabia, highlighting Al-Andalus, the Muslim-ruled area of the Iberian Peninsula, and strong family values. “Both are peninsulas with cultures shaped by diverse influences. Growing up in southern Spain, I found it easy to relate to the warmth and social connections here...I’ve learned so much about Saudi culture, especially the role of religion and the importance of hospitality. “Saudis are incredibly humble, generous, and welcoming. Trust and family are central to their lives, much like in Spain.” In Spain, coffee is almost sacred, he added. “My brother and I can go through two or three coffee pots a day. In Saudi Arabia, coffee holds a similarly significant role, which made me feel at home instantly.” During his time in the Kingdom, Franco said he learned about Saudi culture and the Arabic language organically through interacting with locals. “I’ve never taken formal lessons, but now I can read, write, and have a vocabulary of over 1,000 words, even if my Arabic is still broken. Words like khalas, inshallah, alhamdulillah, and bismillah are part of daily vocabulary. They represent not just the language but also the deeper values I’ve come to appreciate. “I still laugh when I think about the comments about being ‘heavy-blooded’ (dam thaqil) or ‘light-blooded’ (dam khafif). At first, I didn’t understand, but now I know it means whether you’re funny or not. It’s been a fun way to learn and connect with the humor here. Alhamdulillah!” He said reactions to his content creation have been mostly positive, but not everyone fully understands the balance he tries to maintain between social media and real life. “I know that sometimes it has bothered people close to me. It’s something I’ve learned to handle it better. Also, my mother’s opinion matters deeply to me. She’s always supported me and reminded me to stay grounded and take breaks when needed, which has been invaluable as I navigate this journey. “Anyway, with my return home for holidays, I’m sure they’ll have plenty of questions about Saudi Arabia, Arabic, and my content. It will be fun to see their reactions!” Although Franco’s time in the Kingdom may come to an end since his contract is ending soon, he is currently evaluating the options on the table. “If I stay, I want to take my projects to the next level, increasing their impact and contributing even more to the country. If I leave, I’d like to remain connected to Saudi Arabia in some way. “This country has become a part of me: culturally, professionally and emotionally. Vision 2030 is marked on my calendar, and I hope to be a part of its story.” Franco said he would like to be remembered as someone who embraced Saudi culture wholeheartedly, built bridges between the Kingdom and the rest of the world, and showcased its warmth and social connections. “I’d like to think of myself as a part of Saudi’s ongoing journey.”Chairman of Transcorp Group, Tony Elumelu, has tasked the government with the urgent need to prioritise security and improved access to power. According to him, “Power is so important; development is impossible without reliable access to electricity”. The entrepreneur made the submission on Thursday at the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS), where he delivered the graduation lecture to participants of the Executive Intelligence Management Course (EIMC) 17. Entitled, Emerging Technologies As Catalyst For Sustainable Social Economic Growth And Partnership: Opportunities For Africa, the lecture concludes the ten-month course for participants, leading to the award of the prestigious Fellow, Security Institute (fai). “I say to our leaders: if there are two things a leader must prioritise, it should be security, and improvement in access to electricity, and the country, or continent will take off. “Power is a fundamental resource that impacts every aspect of life. From hospitals to homes, and businesses, “Nigeria cannot industrialise, and our youths cannot be educated, without ensuring that our abundant natural resources are translated into plentiful, affordable, available and robust power for all. “A power ecosystem that encourages investments and unlocks our economy and creates prosperity. Development is impossible without power”. On emerging technologies, and their positive impacts on national development, Elumelu noted: “firmly believe that emerging technologies – be they artificial intelligence, biotechnology, or renewable energy – are not merely tools of convenience, but powerful engines of growth, capable of driving unparallel social and economic development across Africa. “One thing you must take away is that your job will help you to create an orderly and secure society “Technology is democratising access to electricity. It is helping to break down barriers that have long hindered progress. “By investing in digital literacy and infrastructure, we can ensure that no African is left behind in this digital revolution. “We have missed the first, second and third industrial revolutions. This fourth revolution, we must all work to make sure we do not miss our on this”. Earlier in his remarks, the Director General of the Department of State Services (DG DSS), Mr. Adeola Ajayi, charged the participants to apply the knowledge acquired, to improve the security ecosystem in their respective countries. In his welcome address, the Commandant Mr. Joseph Obama, revealed that the strategic leadership/security institute has graduated a total 960 participants since its inception.