hacker game slot online Brookfield Renewable Announces Renewal of Normal Course Issuer BidsA deep-storage battery being trialled in Kununurra in the Kimberley region of Western Australia could solve the clean energy challenge for some of the nation's most remote communities. Login or signup to continue reading As well as being a challenging environment to live or work in, hot and humid Kununurra is not connected to the state or national electricity grid. "A lot of our communities are remote and do struggle with the cost of living and we don't want them to miss out on the energy transition," Horizon Power's executive general manager for business development and strategy Vi Garrood told AAP. "And we don't want to compromise on safety - that's why small-scale trials are really important," she said. the vanadium flow battery won't power cars, laptops or fit into a mobile phone, but it can store energy for 10-12 hours and help homes and worksites to displace diesel and gas with clean, safe and reliable power. As the state's regional power provider, Horizon is using the trial to learn how to provide safe, affordable, reliable off-grid power during extreme temperatures and major weather events. "It's one of the technologies we need to get us to net zero and running on 100 per cent renewables for periods of time," Ms Garrood said. After stress-testing the technology in Kununurra, it could be rolled out across Horizon's microgrids and other systems. "Each battery design is examined on the basis of what application we need it for - so what is the problem it's solving," she said. With a 78-kilowatt capacity and 220 kilowatt hours of storage, WA Energy Minister Reece Whitby says the vanadium battery is well suited to Kimberley conditions, where energy storage must cope with extreme temperatures and deliver energy over a long period of time. "Here in Kununurra, where it was 44 degrees the other day, you need a battery that's tough ... and these, we hope, will do the job very well," Mr Whitby said. "We know that the sun doesn't always shine and the wind doesn't always blow so batteries are the answer in terms of capturing that energy when it's available and dispatching it when it's really needed. "The eyes of the energy world are looking at Kununurra to see how this goes." Horizon is also trialling Redflow's zinc bromine flow battery (100 kW/400 kWh) on Nullagine's microgrid and BASF's sodium sulphur battery (250 kW/1450 kWh) at Carnarvon. The various technologies can shift rooftop solar electricity produced in the middle of the day to evening hours and operate alongside existing lithium-ion batteries in Horizon's network, to provide longer-duration storage. Most of Horizon's systems are microgrids, for remote communities and mining operations, and involve generation, network and retail components all within the particular community they are supporting. Ms Garrood said deep-storage batteries can cover periods of "renewable drought" when there is minimal generation, including for night-time loads. "Long-duration energy storage is important for us because it's predicted to be cost-effective when compared to lithium-ion batteries," she said. "It could open the door to taking our small, microgrid communities to 100 per cent renewable energy - that's the plan." "Our best chance of success at decarbonisation is to throw everything at it, and deep storage is one of many solutions in our toolkit," she said. As the technology is based around a tank of liquid electrolytes, they are less likely to catch fire. They can be scaled up and save space by adding more tanks rather than shipping in container-sized lithium batteries. It's also very important to have local support and gain experience when trialling new technology, especially for systems that are in remote locations and typically automated, Ms Garrood said. The technology supplied by VSUN Energy, an offshoot of mining company Australian Vanadium Ltd (AVL), can charge and discharge energy at the same time and the units have a life span of more than 25 years. With most of the world's vanadium supply coming from Russia, China, and South Africa, AVL intends to provide an ethical supply of vanadium to battery, steel and metals markets. Their electrolyte manufacturing facility in WA is part of a "pit to battery" strategy that could support the rollout of vanadium flow batteries in Australia, according to chief executive Graham Arvidson. While it's a first for Horizon, the 40-year-old technology was invented in Australia at the University of NSW and has been grid-connected for 20 years in other countries. "It's really coming into its own with the energy transition because we're looking at long-duration batteries to enable renewable energy like solar to be shifted from day to evening," Mr Arvidson. "Now that this battery is commissioned, we're looking forward to a true test of what it can do for communities like Kununurra," he said. Australian Associated Press DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. 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Fresh daily!As a boy, Bruce Pascal reveled in testing the limits of his Hot Wheels. He might squeeze a firecracker into one of the miniature metal cars and set it off or flatten one with a hammer to see whether it still rolled. Now 63, he wouldn’t dare rough up his toys. His collection is so extensive that it fills a warehouse in suburban Washington and includes the Pink Rear-Loading Beach Bomb prototype, the rarest Hot Wheels car ever made. Though Pascal’s 8,000-car fleet is unique, he is part of a growing group of enthusiasts fueling Hot Wheels' dominance - it’s the best-selling toy in the world, according to market research firm Circana. While most purchases are still for children, adults are buying them at a faster rate, said Roberto Stanichi, who oversees Hot Wheels at Mattel. He estimates that adult collectors drive about one-third of global revenue. Investors have been bracing for an eventual drop in sales, said Arpiné Kocharyan, an analyst with UBS Investment Bank. “And yet it still grows.” “The demographic capture is incomparable,” Kocharyan said. “You can target a kid that’s 3 years old all the way to a collector that’s 60 years old. ... It is almost like a universal play pattern that does not recognize borders and cultural barriers.” The 56-year-old toy’s enduring appeal makes it an outlier in an industry with a shrinking audience. While children today quickly shift from traditional toys to screens, interest in Hot Wheels has only increased. It has been one of Mattel’s steadiest lines of business. In 2023, gross sales climbed 14%, to $1.43 billion, year over year, the company said. Starting at $1.25 each, the price is a draw, especially for cost-conscious families cutting back on holiday gifts to afford inflation-hit essentials. In fact, the toys cost less than they did in 1968, when they retailed for 69 to 89 cents - roughly $6 to $8 in today’s dollars. Mattel can hold that price point partly because of volume: Mattel makes and sells 22.5 Hot Wheels cars per second, Stanichi said. That’s about 709 million cars a year. Mattel, which has a market cap of nearly $6.5 billion, also produces another legacy brand: Barbie. The connection is almost serendipitous; the late Hot Wheels creator Elliot Handler was married to Barbie creator Ruth Handler. Hot Wheels has more room to grow its cross-generational appeal. While car culture has transformed it into a lifestyle and media brand, the toy also evokes warm nostalgia, said James Zahn, editor in chief of the trade publication the Toy Book and senior editor at the Toy Insider. Hot Wheels has been one of Mattel’s steadiest lines of business. It was the only one of the company’s “Power 3 Brands” - which include Barbie and Fisher-Price - to post double-digit growth last year in gross billings, with the 14% increase. “What I think really makes Hot Wheels special is that it’s an affordable toy for kids that many generations have grown up on now,” Zahn said. And it continues into adulthood as the brand “makes this jump from the toy department into the real world.” A vehicle for car culture Hot Wheels’ connection to car culture dates back to its inception, Zahn said. The toy debuted on the heels of a hot-rodding renaissance, when car enthusiasts and gearheads gathered at expos and roadshows to showcase their rides, he said. “If you’re a person that loves cars today, chances are that the first car you ever owned was a Hot Wheel,” Stanichi said. That’s how Pascal’s fixation began. Enthusiasm for cars ran in his family, he said during a recent tour of the 4,000-square-foot warehouse-turned-personal museum in a Maryland suburb of D.C., which houses 10,000 cars and pieces of memorabilia. The collection includes curated Hot Wheels displays, comic books, artwork, original blueprints, hand-carved wood molds and patents. Inside is a 1913 Ford Model T Roadster - a real one, in lavender - and dozens of the 1968 Hot Heap Hot Wheels it inspired. His collection is valued at more than $2 million. Pascal has also interviewed nearly 400 former Mattel employees and co-wrote Hot Wheels Prototypes, a history of the toy, with Michael Zarnock. “I grew up with oil in my blood,” said Pascal, a commercial real estate agent. His grandfather oversaw the history of transportation at the National Archives, and his father collected antique cars. “It’s a lot cheaper for me to buy - for $1.19 - a Tesla X and have it sitting on my desk than to buy a real Tesla X and put it in my garage.” The earliest Hot Wheels cars were 1:64-scale versions of such muscle cars as the Camaro, Firebird and Mustang. Since then, Mattel has introduced everything from Honda Civics to the Batmobile and the vehicles in Ghostbusters, The Simpsons and Scooby-Doo. The company recently announced a partnership with Formula 1, the world’s most popular auto racing circuit. “They’ve done a really smart job of evolving the brand,” said Chris Byrne, a toy expert and consultant. “They’ve stayed true to the speed, performance and collectibility and just adapted the decoration to reflect more of today’s culture so it’s still relevant to kids.” Stanichi sees adult car enthusiasts as potential customers. So, Mattel seeks any opportunity to bring the two together: live events like the Hot Wheels Legends Tour and Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live, video games and collaborations with fashion brands, artists, athletes and musicians. A Hot Wheels movie is in development with Warner Bros. and J.J. Abrams’s Bad Robot production company. Pascal has seen how the partnerships create “a reason for a different adult segment to be excited about Hot Wheels.” Stanichi hopes the movie will extend that, tapping into consumers’ latent nostalgia and goodwill toward the brand. It also reaches customers by licensing its intellectual property for products like board games, video games, apparel and furniture. Many popular brands - Barbie, Frozen and Star Wars, for example - use this tactic because it’s an inexpensive and low-effort moneymaker, Kocharyan said. Barbie sales surged 16% in the quarter after the movie’s release in summer 2023. “It’s a golden goose - it’s going to keep giving,” she said. “You’re getting paid for (licensing your IP) with almost no cost associated with it.” The company also feeds collectors’ appetite for new and exclusive cars. Members of the Red Line Club get access to special collections. Mattel releases dozens of such collections annually, with 10,000 to 50,000 cars per collection. They sell out within minutes, Stanichi said. Many are later resold on eBay at a premium. Pascal pays $99 for a yearly plan under which he can have a car automatically sent and billed to him. There are also treasure hunts, where enthusiasts search for Hot Wheels cars with rubber wheels randomly included among traditional cars with plastic wheels. Pascal says nothing compares to finding a box of Hot Wheels cars at an estate sale and uncovering a high-value surprise inside. “It’s hard to describe the feeling to non-collectors,” he said, noting it’s like a chemical release when he “fills a hole” in his collection. There’s also a community in collecting, whether it’s baseball cards, coins or Squishmallows. It’s a way to connect with people, Byrne said. There are Hot Wheels-trading Facebook groups and in-person gatherings. Pascal attends two collectors conventions a year, where enthusiasts bring Hot Wheels cars to sell, setting up what look like mini markets in their hotel rooms and trading through the night, he said. Cross-generational nostalgia Nostalgia has been a big draw in the toy industry in recent years, with insiders calling it “kidulting.” Millennial and Gen X consumers, in particular, are reengaging with toys, Zahn said. “They want to get those warm feelings of nostalgia that remind them of simpler times,” he said. They’re also rediscovering Lego and coloring books. Many brands have adapted: Mattel’s American Girl stores now serve cocktails and sell adult-size merchandise and costumes; Build-A-Bear has an “after dark” line with risqué outfits. While it had been more than two decades since Colby D’Anieri had zoomed a Hot Wheels car around a racetrack, he couldn’t help but browse the toy aisle every time he was in a Target. “It takes me back to when I was a kid,” said the 33-year-old of Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley. He finally caved a few years ago and added some die-cast cars to his shopping cart. Now he has hundreds, including his first car, a Ford Focus ZX3, which was released at 1:64 scale in 2003. Though he indulges in the hobby partly because he enjoys studying the cars’ details, he also collects for his future children. “Being able to hand them down to my kids and have them play with them is a cool thought,” he said.

McConnell to head subcommittee overseeing defense spending as he prepares to step down as GOP leader

Sports, pop culture, and the weather: What’s next for betting markets after exploding in popularity during the 2024 electionDALLAS (AP) — More than 60 years after President John F. Kennedy was assassinated , conspiracy theories still swirl and any new glimpse into the fateful day of Nov. 22, 1963, in Dallas continues to fascinate . President-elect Donald Trump promised during his reelection campaign that he would declassify all of the remaining government records surrounding the assassination if he returned to office. He made a similar pledge during his first term, but ultimately bended to appeals from the CIA and FBI to keep some documents withheld. At this point, only a few thousand of the millions of governmental records related to the assassination have yet to be fully released, and those who have studied the records released so far say that even if the remaining files are declassified, the public shouldn't anticipate any earth-shattering revelations. “Anybody waiting for a smoking gun that’s going to turn this case upside down will be sorely disappointed,” said Gerald Posner, author of “Case Closed,” which concludes that assassin Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. Friday's 61st anniversary is expected to be marked with a moment of silence at 12:30 p.m. in Dealey Plaza, where Kennedy's motorcade was passing through when he was fatally shot. And throughout this week there have been events marking the anniversary. When Air Force One carrying Kennedy and first lady Jacqueline Kennedy touched down in Dallas , they were greeted by a clear sky and enthusiastic crowds. With a reelection campaign on the horizon the next year, they had gone to Texas on political fence-mending trip. But as the motorcade was finishing its parade route downtown, shots rang out from the Texas School Book Depository building. Police arrested 24-year-old Oswald and, two days later, nightclub owner Jack Ruby fatally shot Oswald during a jail transfer. A year after the assassination, the Warren Commission, which President Lyndon B. Johnson established to investigate the assassination, concluded that Oswald acted alone and there was no evidence of a conspiracy. But that hasn't quelled a web of alternative theories over the decades. In the early 1990s, the federal government mandated that all assassination-related documents be housed in a single collection in the National Archives and Records Administration. The collection of over 5 million records was required to be opened by 2017, barring any exemptions designated by the president. Trump, who took office for his first term in 2017, had boasted that he'd allow the release of all of the remaining records but ended up holding some back because of what he called the potential harm to national security. And while files have continued to be released during President Joe Biden's administration, some still remain unseen. The documents released over the last few years offer details on the way intelligence services operated at the time, and include CIA cables and memos discussing visits by Oswald to the Soviet and Cuban embassies during a trip to Mexico City just weeks before the assassination. The former Marine had previously defected to the Soviet Union before returning home to Texas. Mark S. Zaid, a national security attorney in Washington, said what's been released so far has contributed to the understanding of the time period, giving “a great picture” of what was happening during the Cold War and the activities of the CIA. Posner estimates that there are still about 3,000 to 4,000 documents in the collection that haven’t yet been fully released. Of those documents, some are still completely redacted while others just have small redactions, like someone's Social Security number. “If you have been following it, as I have and others have, you sort of are zeroed in on the pages you think might provide some additional information for history,” Posner said. There are about 500 documents that have been completely withheld, Posner said, and those include Oswald’s and Ruby’s tax returns. Those files, the National Archives says on its website, weren't subject to the 2017 disclosure requirement. Trump's transition team hasn’t responded to questions this week about his plans when he takes office. From the start, there were those who believed there had to be more to the story than just Oswald acting alone, said Stephen Fagin, curator of the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, which tells the story of the assassination from the building where Oswald made his sniper's perch. “People want to make sense of this and they want to find the solution that fits the crime," said Fagin, who said that while there are lingering questions, law enforcement made “a pretty compelling case” against Oswald. Larry J. Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics, said his interest in the assassination dates back to the event itself, when he was a child. “It just seemed so fantastical that one very disturbed individual could end up pulling off the crime of the century," Sabato said. “But the more I studied it, the more I realized that is a very possible, maybe even probable in my view, hypothesis.”Biden says Assad's fall in Syria is a 'fundamental act of justice,' but 'a moment of risk'

Lebenthal Global Advisors LLC Increases Stock Holdings in Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN)Maybe you can’t relate to smoking marijuana like me . Maybe you think smoking weed is disgusting or degenerate behavior and have steered clear of it your whole life. That’s fine. Now let’s get into your coffee habit. There’s a cost to that too, you know? Long-standing dissension exists within the financial literacy community about coffee. Is cutting caffeine wise for anyone looking to take control of their finances? I came across a meme recently that clearly was on the side of sticking with coffee. At $8 a day per cup, the meme read, a person would spend approximately $2,900 a year on coffee. That’s about $500 more than my projected weed bill. But this column isn’t about my take on the great coffee debate. I’m not here to tell you which is right and wrong, or that you should or shouldn’t buy coffee. I’m not even a coffee drinker. I’ve never had a cup! I don’t want or need to drink it. Weed is my coffee. I just wish my hobby didn’t carry the same stigma as yours. But I’m happy to see that negative perception starting to fade as legal marijuana arrives in more states. Instead, I hope my words make you think, particularly about your own habits and how behavioral changes, even with more socially acceptable customs, can be beneficial. Like all changes, the first step requires a mindset shift. If I told you I spent $2,500 a year on weed you’d probably wince and wonder what’s wrong with me. But what would be your response at $3,000 a year on coffee? Justification? A long list of “ well, actually ” counters? Much like my marijuana habit is not simply about smoking, the cost of your coffee consumption isn’t solely about coffee. It’s more than financial, it’s behavioral. Substitute coffee and marijuana for subscription services, dining out or online shopping and the point remains. But in airports throughout the country, I walk by coffee-crazed people patiently waiting in long lines at Starbucks at the crack of dawn. I guess they’ve got to have their coffee. But I wonder about the time commitment. The investor in me loves to see it. When Starbucks’ stock was down in May by 24% year to date, I jumped on the dip as a buying opportunity. I increased my Starbucks’ stake to 32 shares between May and August, confident that the stock would recover and I’d eventually collect a profit. The method, referred to as swing trading, is one I’m learning to use to generate additional income. Four days after my final equity purchase of a little less than 2.5 shares on Aug. 9, Starbucks’ stock popped. Former Chipotle CEO Brian Niccol was named to the same position at Starbucks. The coffee giant’s stock soared 25% on the news, its best day in the company’s history. It hasn’t come down since. I’m up 31% on my position, or $787 dollars. The day after Thanksgiving, I received a $20 dividend payment from Starbucks. So, yeah, I’ll stick with buying the dip instead of drinks. Coffee drinkers can point to positives of having a daily cup of joe. Studies show coffee, like marijuana, has potential health benefits . Although I can’t help but to think about dependency when I hear coffee club conversations. Strictly from a financial standpoint, however, it’s another beverage that undeniably bleeds your bank account — especially if you aren’t paying attention. Before you know it, you’re stuck in a senseless pattern of paying for coffee, tea, soda, alcohol, bottled water, energy drinks and sports drinks. When does it stop? Do you really need those drinks? I’ve shared many of the things I’ve cut out or cut back on along my financial transformation. Like coffee, all of them seem minor. They’re things like pizza and beer , subscriptions and eating out . I even told you how I changed my water consumption. I know first-hand that all those drinks are costly, largely unnecessary and, for the most part, unhealthy. Combined, they can be another silent barrier to wealth-building when your funds are low and the resources you possess aren’t being deployed optimally. That is something we can control. Some surely will view discipline as deprivation. Others will salute your sacrifice. But remember, no change must be permanent. I’m proof that just cutting back can be beneficial. I’ve learned that what I once made routine doesn’t need to be a daily occurrence. By reevaluating our small, everyday habits — whether it’s coffee or weed, subscriptions or dining out — we can free up funds for things that matter more, like saving and investing. Darnell Mayberry is a sportswriter based in Chicago and is the author of “100 Things Thunder Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die.” He loves his daughter Parker, money and the Minnesota Vikings. You will find his column, Money Talks, each Saturday on cleveland.com and Sundays in The Plain Dealer. A new column by Darnell Mayberry brings readers along his journey toward teaching his young daughter, Parker, about financial literacy.

Russian state news agencies say ousted Syrian leader Bashar Assad is in Moscow and given asylum DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Russian state news agencies say the ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad has arrived in Moscow with his family and been given asylum, hours after close ally Russia said he left Syria after negotiations with rebel groups. The Russian agencies, Tass and RIA, cited an unidentified Kremlin source. The Associated Press is not immediately able to verify the reports but has contacted the Kremlin for comment. Assad reportedly left Syria early Sunday, and Syrians have been pouring into streets echoing with celebratory gunfire after a stunning rebel advance reached the capital, ending the Assad family’s 50 years of iron rule. The fall of Bashar Assad after 13 years of war in Syria brings to an end a decades-long dynasty BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian President Bashar Assad has fled the country. Assad’s departure on Sunday brings to a dramatic close his nearly 14-year struggle to hold onto power in a brutal civil war that became a proxy battlefield for regional and international powers. Assad’s exit stood in stark contrast to his first months as Syria’s unlikely president in 2000, when many hoped he would be a young reformer after three decades of his father’s iron grip. But faced with protests of his rule that erupted in March 2011, Assad turned to his father's brutal tactics to crush dissent. A long stalemate was quickly broken when opposition groups in northwest Syria launched a surprise offensive late last month. Who is Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the leader of the insurgency that toppled Syria's Assad? BEIRUT (AP) — Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the militant leader who led the stunning insurgency that toppled Syria’s President Bashar Assad, has spent years working to remake his public image and that of his fighters. He renounced longtime ties to al-Qaida and depicts himself as a champion of pluralism and tolerance. The extent of that transformation from jihadi extremist to would-be state builder is now put to the test. The 42-year-old al-Golani is labeled a terrorist by the United States. He has not appeared publicly since Damascus fell early Sunday. But he and his insurgent force, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, stand to be a major player in whatever comes next. Trump says he can't guarantee tariffs won't raise US prices and won't rule out revenge prosecutions WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump says he can’t guarantee his promised tariffs on key U.S. foreign trade partners won’t raise prices for American consumers. And he's suggesting once more that some political rivals and federal officials who pursued legal cases against him should be imprisoned. The president-elect made the comments in a wide-ranging interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press” that aired Sunday. He also touched on monetary policy, immigration, abortion and health care, and U.S. involvement in Ukraine, Israel and elsewhere. Trump often mixed declarative statements with caveats, at one point cautioning “things do change.” Trump calls for immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and says a US withdrawal from NATO is possible WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump is pushing Russian leader Vladimir Putin to act to reach an immediate ceasefire with Ukraine. Trump describes it as part of his active efforts as president-elect to end the war despite being weeks from taking office. Trump also said he would be open to reducing military aid to Ukraine and pulling the United States out of NATO. Those are two threats that have alarmed Ukraine, NATO allies and many in the U.S. national security community. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says any deal would have to pave the way to a lasting peace. The Kremlin's spokesman says Moscow is open to talks with Ukraine. The hunt for UnitedHealthcare CEO's elusive killer yields new evidence, but few answers NEW YORK (AP) — Police don’t know who he is, where he is, or why he did it. As the frustrating search for UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s killer got underway for a fifth day Sunday, investigators reckoned with a tantalizing contradiction: They have troves of evidence, but the shooter remains an enigma. One conclusion they are confident of, however: It was a targeted attack, not a random one. On Sunday morning, police declined to comment on the contents of a backpack found in Central Park that they believe was carried by the killer. South Korean prosecutors detain ex-defense chief over martial law imposition SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean prosecutors have detained a former defense minister who allegedly recommended last week’s brief but stunning martial law imposition to President Yoon Suk Yeol. Local media say that ex-Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun voluntarily appeared on Sunday at a Seoul prosecutors’ office, where he had his mobile phone confiscated and was detained. A law enforcement official says Kim was later sent to a Seoul detention facility. Kim's detention came a day after Yoon avoided an opposition-led bid to impeach him, with most ruling party lawmakers boycotting a floor vote to prevent a two-thirds majority needed to suspend his presidential powers. Trump's return may be a boon for Netanyahu, but challenges abound in a changed Middle East TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is jubilant about President-elect Donald Trump's return to the White House. Trump's first term policies skewed heavily in favor of Israel, and he has picked stalwart Israel supporters for key positions in his administration. But much has transpired since Trump left office in early 2021. The turmoil in the Middle East, the lofty ambitions of Netanyahu’s far-right governing coalition and Netanyahu’s own personal relationship with the president-elect could dampen that enthusiasm and complicate what on the surface looks like a seamless alliance. A farming project in South Africa is helping deaf people build skills and find jobs JOHANNESBURG (AP) — In South Africa, where the general unemployment rate is over 32%, deaf people face even steeper hurdles. Unlike their counterparts who can hear and speak, they must struggle to communicate in sign language while trying to gain opportunities for jobs and skills development. Now a deaf entrepreneur who quit her job at one of the biggest banks in the country has created an organization where the deaf can be trained in agriculture, develop their skills and earn a sustainable living. The farming sector is emerging as a solace for those with disabilities who also face the dire levels of unemployment in Africa’s most developed economy. First 12-team College Football Playoff set, Oregon seeded No. 1 and SMU edges Alabama for last spot SMU captured the last open spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff, bumping Alabama to land in a bracket that placed undefeated Oregon at No. 1. The selection committee preferred the Mustangs (11-2), losers of a heartbreaker in the Atlantic Coast Conference title game, who had a far less difficult schedule than Alabama (9-3) of the SEC but one fewer loss. The first-of-its-kind 12-team bracket marks a new era for college football, though the Alabama-SMU debate made clear there is no perfect formula. The tournament starts Dec. 20-21 with four first-round games. It concludes Jan. 20 with the national title game in Atlanta.

‘Miracle’ mother who survived traumatic birth meets crucial blood donor teamAssad’s decades-long autocratic rule ends as rebels seize DamascusNone

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 13, 2024-- On December 10, 2024, Athena Technology Acquisition Corp. II (the “Company”) received a letter from the NYSE American LLC (“NYSE American” or the “Exchange”) stating that the staff of NYSE Regulation has determined to commence proceedings to delist the Company’s class A common stock, units, and redeemable warrants (collectively, the “Company Securities”), pursuant to Sections 119(b) and 119(f) of the NYSE American Company Guide because the Company failed to consummate a business combination within 36 months of the effectiveness of its initial public offering registration statement, or such shorter period that the Company specified in its registration statement. As a result of the determination, trading of the Company Securities on NYSE American has been suspended. As indicated in the letter from NYSE American, the Company has a right to a review of the delisting determination by the Listings Qualifications Panel of the Committee for Review of the Board of Directors of the Exchange, provided that the Company submits a written request for such review no later than December 17, 2024. The Company is working towards consummating its previously announced business combination with Ace Green Recycling, Inc. If the Company Securities are delisted from NYSE American, the Company intends to seek a listing of the Company Securities on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC in connection with the consummation of the Company’s proposed initial business combination. About Athena Technology Acquisition Corp. II Athena Technology Acquisition Corp. II (NYSE American: ATEK.U, ATEK, ATEK WS), incorporated in Delaware, is a special purpose acquisition company incorporated for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities. ATEK is the third SPAC founded by Isabelle Freidheim, who also serves as its Chief Executive Officer, with Kirthiga Reddy as President and Jennifer Calabrese as Chief Financial Officer. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements made in this press release are not historical facts but may be considered “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the “safe harbor” provisions under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “should,” “would,” “plan,” “predict,” “potential,” “seem,” “seek,” “future,” “outlook,” “intend,” or continue or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology or expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These statements are based on the current expectations of the Company’s management and are not predictions of actual performance. Such statements may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company’s ability to consummate its previously announced business combination and to list the Company Securities on Nasdaq in connection with the consummation of the proposed business combination. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on, by any investor as a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of the Company. These statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: general economic, political and business conditions; the number of redemption requests made by the Company’s stockholders in connection with a potential business combination; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the Company; the risk that the approval of the Company’s stockholders for a potential transaction is not obtained; expectations related to the timing of a potential business combination; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of a business combination; the risk that a business combination may not be completed by the Company’s business combination deadline; costs related to a business combination; and other risks that will be detailed from time to time in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those risks discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the SEC on September 27, 2024 and in subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. The foregoing list of risk factors is not exhaustive. There may be additional risks that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in these forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements provide the Company’s expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this press release. And while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so, except as required by law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements. Nothing herein should be regarded as a representation by any person that the forward-looking statements set forth herein will be achieved or that the results of such forward-looking statements will be achieved. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241213050198/en/ CONTACT: Bevel PR Athena@bevelpr.com KEYWORD: NEW YORK UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: BANKING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FINANCE SOURCE: Athena Technology Acquisition Corp. II Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/13/2024 03:56 PM/DISC: 12/13/2024 03:57 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241213050198/enGift peace of mind: This Amazon bestselling car dash cam is now 39% off

Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes suffered yet another devastating loss to the Michigan Wolverines on Saturday afternoon, making it four consecutive losses against their biggest rival. It was a 13-10 slugfest that ended with the Wolverines kicking a game-winning field goal with under a minute left on the clock. While fans were calling for Ryan Day to be fired after the game for his continued inability to beat Michigan, we also saw a massive brawl take place between players on the field as the Wolverines attempted to plant their flag on the Ohio State 'O' in the middle of the field. We also saw a little bit of spicy trash talk from a former Michigan staffer who has a notorious place in this rivalry. That Michigan staffer is Connor Stallions. Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images After being dismissed from the team in connection to the famous sign-stealing drama that took place in Ann Arbor a year ago, Stallions has been informed that he must stay away from this game against Ohio State. However, he made sure to get his trash talk off afterwards on social media. "Hi friends! They said I wasn’t allowed in Columbus this year . Just checking in on my buddy Ryan. Everything good???" Stallions wrote on X. Hi friends! They said I wasn’t allowed in Columbus this year 😕. Just checking in on my buddy Ryan. Everything good??? @trentejones01 pic.twitter.com/6gCFpCqVcU Everything was not good for Ryan, as it turns out. While he has had great success in his career at Ohio State with a 66-10 overall record, the four consecutive losses to Michigan may be a fireable offense ultimately. The past three losses were explainable, as Michigan was in championship contention and near the top of the sport, but this year is tougher to swallow. Coming into this game, the Wolverines were 6-5, with no hopes of playing for anything more than a bowl game. That, and trying to ruin the Buckeyes' season, which they effectively did. Ohio State can still get an at-large bid in the College Football Playoff, but without an ability to win the Big Ten Championship Game, they will not be given a first-round bye. Related: Fans Calling for Ohio State Coach Ryan Day’s Job After Devastating Loss to Michigan

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Pakistan’s textile industry, while economically significant, is contributing millions of dollars in waste each year, and the opportunity cost is staggering. Our air, freshwater, marine life, and overall climate are bearing the brunt of this environmental damage. For example, producing a single pair of jeans consumes between 5,000 and 8,000 litres of water. This is a shocking misuse of a resource as scarce as water, especially in a country like ours, where water scarcity is a growing concern. Adding to the problem is the heavy carbon footprint associated with textile dyeing, along with other harmful pollutants. The traditional linear business model employed by most of our industry is not just outdated—it is harmful. It allows for unchecked production that ends with waste. We urgently need to shift towards a circular economy, where the focus is on reusing, reducing, and recycling inputs. A circular economy eliminates the concept of waste and transforms industrial output into a regenerative cycle. In the broader context, Pakistan’s societal attitude toward responsibility is troubling. We focus heavily on demanding rights, but we often ignore the duties that come with them. This is particularly evident in environmental matters, where the conversations around sustainable industrial practices are virtually nonexistent. We need to start holding our industries accountable, demanding that they consider not just profits but their environmental and social responsibilities as well. If we continue down this path, the costs will not just be monetary but existential—affecting our health, resources, and future generations. As Pakistan prepares for economic transformations in other sectors, such as the transition of all conventional banks to Islamic banks by 2027, we need a similar level of urgency and commitment in reforming our textile industry. The world is moving towards sustainable solutions, and we cannot afford to be left behind. It’s time for our textile leaders to take the first step in adopting a circular economy model. ZAIN UL AABDIN QURESHI SUKKUR Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );The No. 11 USC Aiken men's basketball team lost a hard-fought 100-94 contest to Claflin on Saturday afternoon. The Pacers are now 4-2 on the season. Head coach Mark Vanderslice's team was led by Rhyjon Blackwell's career-high and game-best 25 points. He added six boards and four assists. Davion Cunningham netted 21 points, grabbed seven boards to go along with four assists. Rafael Rubel tallied 16 points and three assists while Jalen McCoy posted 13 points, six boards and three assists. Kaleb Siler notched a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds to go along with a block. Tied at 9-9, Blackwell drained a 3-point bucket at the 14:50 mark. Twenty seconds later, Cunningham found Rubel for another shot from distance, increasing the margin to six, 15-9. Leading 19-18, Blackwell found Cunningham for a shot from downtown before McCoy hit a jumper at the 10:29 mark. USCA extended the margin to seven after a quick 5-0 spurt. Dwight Canady, Jr., hit two free throws and Rubel drilled a basket from behind the arc with 8:04 to go. Claflin held a 36-34 lead before McCoy, Rubel and Siler hit shots for a 40-36 advantage. Blackwell's basket pushed the lead to six, 42-36, at the 1:44 mark. Vanderslice's team held a 44-40 margin at the break. Leading 52-50, Blackwell buried a 3-ball at the 17:40 mark. He drilled another shot from distance off a pass from Rubel at the 17:12 mark for a 58-52 advantage. The Panthers clawed back into the game, tying it at 58-58 with 16:34 to play. Claflin extended the advantage to 10, 80-70, before Siler nailed an old-fashioned three-point play. Down 88-77, Blackwell canned a jumper. Siler tipped in a shot before Blackwell made two free throws, cutting the deficit to 88-84 with 3:10 remaining. The Panthers increased the advantage to eight, 92-84, with 2:23 to go. Vanderslice's team trimmed the deficit to four, 98-89, on two charity tosses from Cunningham with 39 seconds to go. However, that was as close as the squad could get the rest of the way. For the game, USCA hit 30 of 69 from the floor, including 12 of 30 from downtown. The team connected on 22 of 31 from the charity stripe. The Pacers held a 43-31 edge on the glass, including a 21-8 margin on the offensive boards. Vanderslice's team scored 18 second-chance points and maintained a 21-17 edge on the break. Claflin shot 55% as a team for the game and was 14-for-29 (48.3%) from 3. Five different Panthers scored in double figures. The Pacers return to action at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday when they host Livingstone.

Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox Lisandro Martinez has had something of a topsy-turvy career at Manchester United. Amid years of questionable transfer decisions at Old Trafford, he has emerged as a rare success, earning the moniker 'The Butcher' for his fierce and uncompromising defensive style. Yet, since his arrival from Ajax, persistent fitness struggles have hindered his impact. Similarly, United's on-field performances have fluctuated from dismal to impressive and back again, further thwarting Martinez's effectiveness. Things, generally, are looking up under new manager Ruben Amorim, but as Sunday's 3-0 defeat by Bournemouth proved, consistency is still a major issue for the club. READ MORE: 'We have to accept it' - Lisandro Martinez explains how Manchester United players can improve READ MORE: 'We're playing so well' - Lisandro Martinez reacts after Manchester United defeat vs Bournemouth The result, which was the Red Devils' fourth defeat in six games, means they'll be in the bottom half of the table on Christmas Day for the first time since 1989. With Martinez and co. presumably begging for 2024 to end, MEN is delving into the defender's storied stint in Manchester - looking at everything from his injury troubles, his run-ins with team-mates, and his thoughts on the manager, to his beef with a Sky Sports pundit. Message to fans Keen to address the torrid state of play following United's hammering at the hands of Bournemouth on Sunday, Martinez sent a defiant message to supporters after the game. He admitted he was "angry" with his side's performance but insisted he believed in his team-mates and the coaching staff and encouraged fans to trust the process. "I always say in this kind of situation we have to show personality and character. We are playing so well and unfortunately, we couldn't score...