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( MENAFN - Gulf Times) Sony Middle East and Africa, alongside Modern Home, its strategic and exclusive partner in Qatar, announced the release of the WF-C510 wireless earbuds, WH-1000XM5, and WF-1000XM5 headphones in Smoky Pink, the MDR-M1 studio monitor headphones, and the FE 85mm F1.4 GM II lens. These exciting new launches cater to a wide range of consumers, from Audio enthusiasts and photographers to creators and professionals. The new launches are available at Modern Home in Al Maha Centre on Salwa Road and Fnac stores in Lagoona Mall, Doha Festival City, and Place Vendome, in addition to other major retailers in town. The WF-C510 wireless earbuds redefine convenience and comfort. Featuring Sony's smallest-ever closed-type design, these earbuds offer a stable and ergonomic fit, ensuring hours of seamless use. The compact, cylindrical charging case is pocket-friendly and provides extended portability. The WF-C510 delivers powerful performance with up to 11 hours of playback time, while a quick five-minute charge gives an impressive 60 minutes of listening time. Equipped with Ambient Sound Mode and Voice Focus, the earbuds allow users to stay connected to their surroundings while enjoying high-quality audio. Personalisation is made possible with the Sony Headphones Connect app, where sound preferences can be customised. Supporting Multipoint Connection for simultaneous pairing with two devices and boasting IPX4 water resistance, the WF-C510 is ideal for everyday use. Enhanced by DSEE (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine), these earbuds ensure crisp, well-balanced sound for an authentic listening experience. Available in blue, yellow, black, and white, they perfectly blend style with practicality. Sony adds a stylish new dimension to its award-winning WH-1000XM5 and WF-1000XM5 noise-cancelling headphones with the introduction of Smoky Pink, a sophisticated shade designed in collaboration with K-Pop sensation LE SSERAFIM. The Smoky Pink edition blends elegant undertones with a matte finish, elevating its appeal as both an audio accessory and a fashion statement. Featuring Sony's best-in-class noise cancellation and 360 Reality Audio, these headphones deliver studio-quality sound engineered to perfection, ensuring music is heard the way it's meant to be. As part of Sony's For The Music campaign, the headphones are inspired by LE SSERAFIM's chic aesthetic and their hit track 'CRAZY', making them a must-have for fans and trendsetters. Designed for maximum comfort and performance, these headphones seamlessly combine cutting-edge technology with style. The MDR-M1 studio monitor headphones are Sony's latest innovation for creators, sound engineers, and music professionals. Designed in collaboration with industry experts like Mike Piacentini (Battery Studios) and Akihiro Nishimura (Power Station NYC), the MDR-M1 offers studio-quality sound reproduction for professional use. The headphones feature a closed acoustic structure for excellent sound isolation, ensuring precise monitoring in any environment. At the heart of the MDR-M1 is a uniquely developed driver unit that achieves ultra-wideband playback (5Hz–80kHz), combining a soft edge for low distortion and a hard dome for crystal-clear high frequencies. Engineered for comfort, the MDR-M1 features low-resilience ear pads and a lightweight design, allowing for long listening sessions without fatigue. Two detachable cables, including a shorter, portable option, offer versatility for professional setups. Supporting Sony's 360 Virtual Mixing Environment (360VME), the MDR-M1 empowers creators to work in virtual studio spaces, delivering consistency and accuracy anywhere. Sony's FE 85mm F1.4 GM II lens raises the bar for portrait and cinematic photography. This second-generation lens features two XA (extreme aspherical) and two ED (extra-low dispersion) elements to achieve outstanding resolution and clarity while suppressing aberrations. The hallmark of the lens is its soft, stunning bokeh, thanks to the 11-blade circular aperture and spherical aberration optimisation. The autofocus (AF) capabilities are significantly enhanced, now up to three times faster than its predecessor, enabling precise subject tracking even during high-speed continuous shooting, such as with Sony's Alpha 9 III. The lens is also optimised for cinematic video production, minimising focus breathing and providing flexible operability with customizable focus hold buttons and an independent aperture ring. Weighing just 642 grammes, 20% lighter and 13% smaller than the first-generation model, the lens combines advanced technology with a lightweight, compact design, making it an essential tool for portrait, wedding, and travel photographers, as well as videographers. Sony continues to set new standards with products that blend innovative technology, user-focused design, and uncompromising performance. From high-quality audio solutions to professional-grade lenses, Sony's latest launches cater to diverse consumer and professional needs. With the support of Modern Home, Sony reaffirms its commitment to delivering excellence and enriching experiences for customers in Qatar. MENAFN21122024000067011011ID1109020282 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. 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Her colleagues at the University of Nebraska at Kearney call her a “dream hire” who “truly embodies the meaning of being a teacher-scholar.” The students she’s taught describe her as enthusiastic, caring and knowledgeable — the “best teacher I’ve ever had here.” Brooke Envick was recognized Friday with the Leland Holdt/Security Mutual Life Distinguished Faculty Award, the university’s most prestigious faculty honor. Named after UNK alumnus Leland Holdt, the annual award is presented during winter commencement to an individual who demonstrates excellence in teaching, research and service. It comes with a $5,000 stipend. A UNK alumna, Envick earned a bachelor’s degree in management and master’s degree in business administration, then completed a doctorate in organizational behavior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She taught at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas, for nearly 20 years before returning to Kearney in 2017 and becoming the third generation of her family to teach at UNK. Currently, she’s a professor in the Department of Management, an associate dean of engagement and retention and an associate dean of faculty and strategic initiatives. “When Dr. Envick agreed to join the CBT leadership team, I was thrilled,” Tim Jares, dean of the UNK College of Business and Technology, said. “She is thoughtful and hardworking and will work tirelessly to help our students have a better future.” As a teacher, Envick emphasizes active learning and innovation, engaging students in the knowledge-construction process. Her classes often include experiential learning exercises that encourage student engagement and development. For example, students created their own board games in her Creativity and Innovation course, and they generate growth plans for small businesses in the Small Business Management class. “Her students have praised her ability to expand on class material by bringing in examples of real-world applications. She also does a great job of connecting with her students and making the material enjoyable to learn,” noted Kyle Luthans, a professor and chair in the Department of Management. Their course evaluations support this statement. “Professor Envick is really good about getting students to engage. The concept of the class is different and very innovative, so I was nervous about it because I don’t see myself as creative. She made me excited to come to class and speak up about my ideas,” one student wrote. “She does a great job of applying the information to the real world. She is very knowledgeable about the stuff she teaches us. She also is very passionate about the subjects she teaches. I wish she taught more of my classes,” another remarked. Envick has received numerous teaching accolades during her career, including the UNK College of Business and Technology Outstanding Teaching Award and the Outstanding Educator Award for Innovative and Creative Teaching from the Academy of Educational Leadership. She also supports students as an undergraduate research mentor and supervisor for graduate-level capstone projects. With a focus on entrepreneurship and small business management, Envick’s research complements her classroom instruction. She has more than 30 peer-reviewed journal publications, and her research has been cited over 800 times. Envick served as an editorial review board member for the Global Journal of Entrepreneurship and Journal of Organizational Leadership and as a reviewer for the Mountain Plains Journal of Business and Technology. She has presented at numerous conferences and received multiple Distinguished Research Awards from the Institute of Global Business Research and Academy of Entrepreneurship. Her work was featured in UNK’s New Frontiers magazine highlighting the best research and creative activity on campus in 2022. “Dr. Envick’s track record in scholarship is just as impressive as her exceptional teaching. The fact that many of her articles grew from projects in her classes clearly illustrates how important the teacher-scholar model has been in guiding her career and how foundational it is to her as a professional,” Jares said. Envick is a member of the University of Nebraska’s “Developing Excellence in Academic Leaders” program and she serves on committees at both the campus and system levels, including the NU President’s Excellence Awards Committee, UNK Enrollment Steering Committee and UNK chancellor search committee. “If every faculty member in CBT, or at UNK, displayed her level of energy and commitment, the sky would surely be the limit for us,” Jares said. Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox.
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YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (AP) — EJ Farmer scored 16 points as Youngstown State beat Detroit Mercy 73-64 on Sunday for their seventh victory in a row. Farmer had three steals for the Penguins (9-5, 4-0 Horizon League). Gabe Dynes scored 12 points while going 4 of 5 and 4 of 6 from the free-throw line and added five rebounds and four blocks. Nico Galette had 10 points. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get updates and player profiles ahead of Friday's high school games, plus a recap Saturday with stories, photos, video Frequency: Seasonal Twice a week
Country's forest & tree cover increases by 1445 sq kmFacebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — In losing Sunday’s battle with the Buffalo Bills, perhaps the best team in football, Jerod Mayo won the war. Best I can tell, he’s staying put. For 2025, and maybe beyond. To his angry fan base and incredulous pockets of the New England Patriots’ media corps, remember Mayo’s future doesn’t hinge on winning this season. It’s not about what you want, or what I think. It’s about the Krafts, who hand-picked Mayo to succeed Bill Belichick four and a half years before he actually did, believing in him, and finding reasons to maintain that belief. In the eyes of someone who wants to believe, Sunday supplied enough reason. The Patriots led at halftime, then lost by three as 14-point underdogs. They became the first team since mid-October to hold the Bills under 30 points. Drake Maye outplayed the next MVP of the league for most of the game and took another step toward his destiny as a franchise quarterback, Somers Point man killed in two-vehicle crash in Egg Harbor Township Atlantic City Airshow canceled for 2025 Atlantic City police officer accused of assaulting, pointing gun at wife Somers Point man killed after motorcycle strikes SUV on Longport Boulevard Atlantic City Mayor Small indicted on witness tampering charge in child abuse case Mays Landing's Level Up comic and video game shop to close after 18 years GoFundMe started for Somers Point man seriously injured in Egg Harbor Township crash Body found in fridge in Belleplain State Forest 14 arrested following drug operations in Atlantic City Troopers gave special treatment to drivers with courtesy cards, watchdog finds 'Great Day Express' takes its maiden voyage to Big SNOW at American Dream Mall Lower Township man charged with possession of child porn Long Beach Island fire damages multimillion-dollar bayfront home Atlantic commissioners say no privatization planned for ACUA after landfill odor problem Who are The Press' 2024 High School Football All-Stars? If that sounds like a low bar, that’s because it is. Such is life in Year 1 of a rebuild, a multi-year process ownership has committed to seeing through to the end with their organizational pillars now in place: Mayo, Maye and de facto GM Eliot Wolf. As frustrating as this 3-12 campaign has been, there are always nuggets of optimism amid the rubble of a losing season; particularly if you want to find them. The Krafts do, and so does Maye, who loves his head coach, by the way; calling questions about Mayo’s job security “BS.” “We’ve got his back,” Maye said post-game. Maye’s voice matters. Certainly more than any number of fans or media members. Ever since media-fueled speculation that Mayo could get canned at the end of his first season began rising, the caveat has always been the same: if, a Gillette Stadium-sized “if,” the Patriots bomb atomically down the stretch, ownership could pull the plug on Mayo. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport became the latest to join that chorus Sunday with this pregame report: “The Krafts want to keep Jerod Mayo,” he said. “They believe he is the leader for the organization for the future, and they knew it would be a multi-year process to get this thing right. Now if things go off the rails, if they really start to struggle and he loses the locker room the last couple games of the season, we’ve seen this thing turn. “But as of now, the Patriots believe Jerod Mayo is their leader for the future.” Well, Mayo hasn’t lost the locker room. That’s a fact. To a man, both in public and from those I’ve spoken to in private, Patriots players believe in their head coach. Mayo might be a players’ coach, yes, in the best and worst senses. But the Patriots were a few plays away Sunday from pulling off their largest upset since Super Bowl XXXVI. “I think we’re building something good,” Maye said. The Patriots also played their best half of football this season against their toughest opponent yet. Another fact. Now, to the frustrated, I am with you. To the shocked, I understand. But to the trigger-happy, lay down your arms. Mayo, by all accounts, is returning in 2025. Alex Van Pelt, however, is another story. In the same vein that the Krafts could have viewed Sunday’s performance as a reason to save Mayo — despite his pathetic punt at midfield, down 10 with just eight and a half minutes left — they could have convinced themselves their offensive coordinator is the real problem. After all, team president Jonathan Kraft was visibly exasperated over Van Pelt’s play-calling during the Pats’ loss at Arizona a week earlier. Four days later, Van Pelt told reporters he had yet to hear from his boss. Well, that time may be coming. Trailing by three in the fourth quarter Sunday, Van Pelt called a pass that resulted in an unnecessary lateral and game-winning touchdown for Buffalo. His offense later operated like it was taking a Sunday drive with the game on the line, using up 3:16 of the final 4:19 en route to its final touchdown. Van Pelt, finally, weaponized Maye’s legs in critical situations, something that arguably should have been done weeks ago. Not to mention, Van Pelt’s top running back can’t stop fumbling, and the offensive line remains a hot mess. Call him Alex Van Fall Guy. Because Van Pelt’s offense, for the first time in a while, under-performed relative to Mayo’s defense. On merit, he deserves to stay; a case that’s harder to make for defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington. But it’s not about merit this season. It’s not about what you want. It’s not about what I think. It’s about the Krafts; what they see, what they want, what they believe. Even in defeat. ____ Get in the game with our Prep Sports Newsletter Sent weekly directly to your inbox!
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Married couples across the U.S. have had access to no-fault divorce for more than 50 years, an option many call crucial to supporting domestic abuse victims and key to preventing already crowded family courts from drowning in complicated divorce proceedings. But some advocates for women worried as old comments from now Vice President-elect JD Vance circulated during the presidential campaign opposing no-fault divorce. After President-elect Donald Trump and Vance won the election, warnings began popping up on social media urging women who might be considering divorce to "pull the trigger" while they still could. Some attorneys posted saying they saw a spike in calls from women seeking divorce consultations. Trump — who is twice-divorced — hasn't championed overhauling the country's divorce laws, but in 2021 Vance lamented that divorce is too easily accessible, as have conservative podcasters and others. "We've run this experiment in real time and what we have is a lot of very, very real family dysfunction that's making our kids unhappy," Vance said during a speech at a Christian high school in California, where he criticized people being able to "shift spouses like they change their underwear." Marriage rates held steady but divorce rates of women age 15 and older declined from 2012 to 2022, according to U.S. Census Bureau data released in October. Despite concerns, even those who want to make divorces harder to get say they don't expect big, swift changes. There is not a national coordinated effort underway. States determine their own divorce laws, so national leaders can't directly change policy. "Even in some of the so-called red states, it hasn't gotten anywhere," said Beverly Willett, co-chair of the Coalition for Divorce Reform, whose group unsuccessfully attempted to convince states to repeal their no-fault divorce laws. Mark A. Smith, a political science professor at the University of Washington, said while many Americans became accustomed to no-fault divorce being an option, Vance's previous comments on making it more difficult to separate from a spouse could help jump-start that effort. "Even though he's not directly proposing a policy, it's a topic that hasn't gotten a ton of discussion in the last 15 years," Smith said. "And so to have a national profile politician talk that way is noteworthy." Meanwhile, Republican Party platforms in Texas and Nebraska were amended in 2022 to call for the removal of no-fault divorce. Louisiana's Republican Party considered something similar this year but declined to do so. A handful of proposals were introduced in conservative-led statehouses over the years, but all immediately stalled after they were filed. In January, Oklahoma Republican Sen. Dusty Deevers introduced legislation that would have removed married couples from filing for divorce on the grounds of incompatibility. Deevers backed the bill after writing a piece declaring no-fault divorce was an "abolition of marital obligation." Similarly, in South Carolina, two Republican lawmakers in 2023 filed a bill that would have required both spouses to file for a no-fault divorce application rather than just one. In South Dakota, a Republican lawmaker attempted to remove irreconcilable difference as grounds for divorce since 2020. None of the sponsors of these bills responded to interview requests from The Associated Press. All are members of their state's conservative Freedom Caucus. Nevertheless, some Democratic lawmakers say they remain worried about the future of no-fault divorce. They point to the U.S. Supreme Court overturning the constitutional right to abortion in 2022 as an example of a long-accepted option that was revoked through a decades-long effort. "When you choose to be silent, you allow for this to creep in," said Democratic South Dakota Rep. Linda Duba. "These are the bills that gain a foothold because you choose to be silent." Before California became the first state to adopt a no-fault divorce option in 1969, married couples had to prove their spouse violated one of the approved "faults" outlined in their state's divorce law or risk a judge denying their divorce, said Joanna Grossman, a law professor at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Qualified reasons varied from state to state, but largely included infidelity, incarceration or abandonment. The system was a particular burden on domestic violence victims, who are often women who could be stuck in dangerous marriages while they try to prove their partner's abuse in court through expensive and lengthy legal proceedings. "If there was any evidence that the couple both wanted to get divorced that was supposed to be denied because divorce was not something you got because you wanted it, it was something you got because you've been wronged in a way that the state thought was significant," Grossman said. To date, every state in the U.S. adopted a no-fault divorce option. However, 33 states still have a list of approved "faults" to file as grounds for divorce — ranging from adultery to felony conviction. In 17 states, married people only have the option of choosing no-fault divorce to end their marriages.During the 2024 Global Governance Summit in Manila organized by the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD), it was inevitable to have discussions on the grim reality that the Philippines lingers with a pervading risk environment that continues to exacerbate its arduous task towards achieving our dream of becoming a high-level economy by 2046, our centennial year celebrating 100 years of Philippine independence. According to the World Bank, a high level economy is currently pegged at US$14,005. Assuming we average a respectable 6 percent annual growth rate and based on today’s per capita of $4,200, per capita shall hover at $13,500 by 2046 — nominal at that and still stuck at mid-level economic status. This is alarming and embarrassing. More importantly, millions of Filipinos will continue to face poverty, hunger, social inequality and unemployment for an extended amount of time, not to mention the lost opportunities that we as a decent society deserve and pray for. We have to shape up fast. If India and Vietnam have excelled towards 8 percent annual economic growth in 2024, surely we can do the same through long term sustainable growth but not just in traditional manufacturing, tourism, information technology, foreign remittances, trade and investments but quite necessary to act also in highly underdeveloped but extremely high potential industries such as reforestation and responsible mining. Yes, we have to shape up fast not just in a few key industries but across the board! A reflection of industry performance could be traced on our capital markets. According to Dr. Jess Estanislao, our stock market should be more inclusive and must grow considerably, as it transforms itself in line with the further professionalization and modernization of our ASEAN counterparts. The main difference, as our Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) now ranks 5th among the ASEAN in terms of market capitalization, is the sheer number of listed companies stuck at less than 300. Further to this, the market capitalization of top publicly-listed Philippine companies far outweigh the rest of the bourse. Unlike our ASEAN neighbors, the stock exchanges are truly representative of a true market rather than a boutique list of players that seemingly pervades the PSE. Fortunately, the PSE is constantly upgrading and its management has identified its priorities. Let us support our beloved PSE in our joint aspirations for a more formidable Philippine stock exchange. As of November 2024, the total market capitalization of the PSE hovers around US$340 billion (CEIC), representing a modest share of the global market. This figure pales in comparison to traditional Asian powerhouses like Japan, with over US$6 trillion in market capitalization, and emerging markets such as India, with over US$3.5 trillion. The gap is widening. There have been conclusions that it is just too expensive to list, thus making this quite restrictive. Further to this would be the avoidance of the responsibility and costs involved for full disclosures — a short term investment no doubt, however, quite necessary to consider for long term strategic plans for enterprises, particularly as part of a conglomerate design for corporate sustainability. Another contributing factor is the concentration of family-owned businesses in the Philippines, many of which are dissuaded by public listing due to concerns over transparency and the costs of compliance... but that would be another full article by itself. Looking ahead To bridge the gap with global standards, the Philippines must prioritize reforms that promote inclusivity, resilience and sustainability. Key focus areas include: Expanding market participation: Encouraging more companies to go public through incentives and capacity-building programs for SMEs. Enhancing regulatory enforcement: Strengthening the capacity of regulators to monitor compliance and impose sanctions for violations. Integrating strategic governance and sustainability principles: Supporting businesses and organizations in adopting frameworks through the highest levels of excellence in good governance practices. Promoting diversity, equality and inclusiveness: Addressing imbalances in corporate leadership to align with global trends of inclusivity. Digital transformation: Leveraging technology to improve transparency, streamline compliance processes, and enhance stakeholder engagement. Until then..
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A new report has unveiled the most popular iPhone model in use today, and the results may surprise you. While the latest and greatest iPhones often grab the headlines, it seems many users are sticking with older models. In the ever-evolving world of smartphones, Apple’s iPhone consistently ranks among the top contenders. With each new release, the tech giant introduces cutting-edge features and improved performance, enticing users to upgrade. However, a recent report by CIRP (Consumer Intelligence Research Partners) sheds light on a fascinating trend: the iPhone 11, released back in 2019, holds the crown as the most popular iPhone model currently in use. This revelation challenges the assumption that the latest iPhones dominate the market, suggesting that factors like affordability and perceived value play a significant role in consumer choices. This article delves into the details of the CIRP report, exploring the reasons behind the iPhone 11’s enduring popularity and examining the broader implications for the smartphone industry. We’ll also analyze the usage patterns of other iPhone models, providing a comprehensive overview of the iPhone landscape in 2024. The iPhone 11 Reigns Supreme According to CIRP’s data, the iPhone 11 accounts for a remarkable 24% of the total iPhones in use. This impressive figure highlights the model’s widespread adoption and continued relevance in the market. Despite being succeeded by several newer generations, the iPhone 11 remains a favorite among users, demonstrating its lasting appeal. Factors Contributing to the iPhone 11’s Popularity Several factors contribute to the iPhone 11’s enduring popularity. First and foremost, its affordability compared to newer models makes it an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers. Apple’s pricing strategy, which typically involves lowering the price of older models with each new release, has made the iPhone 11 more accessible to a wider audience. Furthermore, the iPhone 11 boasts a powerful A13 Bionic chip, which delivers impressive performance even by today’s standards. Its dual-camera system, featuring wide and ultra-wide lenses, captures stunning photos and videos, satisfying the needs of most users. Additionally, the iPhone 11’s long battery life ensures that users can stay connected throughout the day without worrying about running out of power. The iPhone 13: A Strong Contender While the iPhone 11 holds the top spot, the iPhone 13 , released in 2021, is rapidly gaining popularity. CIRP’s report indicates that the iPhone 13 accounts for 15% of iPhones in use, making it the second most popular model. This surge in popularity can be attributed to the iPhone 13’s compelling combination of features, performance, and price. The iPhone 13 boasts several improvements over its predecessor, including a more advanced A15 Bionic chip, an enhanced camera system with Cinematic mode for video recording, and a brighter display. Its sleek design and vibrant color options further add to its appeal. Older Models Still Hold Their Own Interestingly, older iPhone models like the XR and 12 continue to maintain a significant presence in the market. The iPhone XR, known for its affordability and vibrant color options, holds a 13% share, while the iPhone 12, which introduced 5G connectivity and a more refined design, accounts for 12%. This indicates that a considerable portion of users prioritize value and functionality over having the latest and greatest features. The Long Tail of iPhone Usage The CIRP report also highlights the long tail of iPhone usage, with models as old as the iPhone 8 still being used by a small but dedicated user base. This phenomenon underscores the longevity of Apple’s devices and the company’s commitment to providing software updates for older models. While the percentage of users on older models may be small, it demonstrates the enduring value and appeal of iPhones across different generations. My Personal Experience As a tech enthusiast, I’ve had the opportunity to use various iPhone models over the years, from the classic iPhone 4 to the latest iPhone 14 Pro. While I appreciate the advancements in technology and design that each new generation brings, I’ve found that older models like the iPhone 11 and XR still offer a fantastic user experience. I recently purchased an iPhone 11 for my parents, who were looking for an affordable and reliable smartphone. They’ve been incredibly happy with its performance, camera quality, and battery life. This experience reinforces the findings of the CIRP report, highlighting the enduring appeal of older iPhone models. Implications for the Smartphone Industry The popularity of older iPhone models like the iPhone 11 has significant implications for the smartphone industry. It challenges the prevailing notion that consumers always crave the latest and most expensive devices. Instead, it suggests that factors like affordability, perceived value, and long-term usability play a crucial role in purchasing decisions. This trend could encourage smartphone manufacturers to focus on delivering value across different price points, ensuring that older models remain relevant and appealing to a wider audience. It also highlights the importance of software updates in extending the lifespan of devices, contributing to sustainability and reducing electronic waste. Looking Ahead As Apple continues to innovate and release new iPhone models, it will be interesting to see how the popularity of older models evolves. Will the iPhone 11 maintain its dominance, or will newer models like the iPhone 13 and 14 eventually take the lead? Only time will tell. However, one thing is certain: the enduring popularity of older iPhone models like the iPhone 11 underscores the importance of factors like affordability, performance, and long-term value in the smartphone market. As consumers become more discerning and environmentally conscious, these factors are likely to play an even greater role in shaping the future of the industry.The AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here . BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (AP) — Don McHenry scored 29 points as Western Kentucky beat Kentucky Wesleyan 91-71 on Saturday. McHenry also contributed four steals for the Hilltoppers (9-3). Braxton Bayless added 18 points while going 7 of 10 (3 for 3 from 3-point range) while they also had five rebounds. Julius Thedford went 6 of 13 from the field (3 for 7 from 3-point range) to finish with 17 points. It was the sixth straight win for the Hilltoppers. The Panthers were led in scoring by Quentin Toles, who finished with 15 points and six assists. Kentucky Wesleyan also got 14 points and six rebounds from Fatih Huyuk. Kennedy Miles also had 14 points and five assists. Western Kentucky took the lead with 5:32 remaining in the first half and did not relinquish it. The score was 46-41 at halftime, with Bayless racking up 13 points. Western Kentucky pulled away with an 8-0 run in the second half to extend a four-point lead to 12 points. They outscored Kentucky Wesleyan by 15 points in the final half, as McHenry led the way with a team-high 19 second-half points. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
FORESTVILLE, Calif. (AP) — A major storm moving through Northern California on Thursday toppled trees and dropped heavy snow and record rain after damaging homes, killing two people and knocking out power to hundreds of thousands in the Pacific Northwest. Forecasters warned that the risk of flash flooding and rockslides would continue, and scores of flights were canceled at San Francisco's airport. In Washington, nearly 265,000 people — mostly in the Seattle area — remained without power as crews worked to clear streets of electrical lines, fallen branches and debris. Utility officials said the outages, which began Tuesday, could last into Saturday. Meanwhile on the East Coast, where rare wildfires have raged, New York and New Jersey welcomed much-needed rain that could ease the fire danger for the rest of the year. The National Weather Service extended a flood watch into Saturday for areas north of San Francisco as the region was inundated by the strongest atmospheric river — a long plume of moisture that forms over an ocean and flows through the sky over land — this season. The system roared ashore Tuesday as a “ bomb cyclone ,” which occurs when a cyclone intensifies rapidly. It unleashed fierce winds that toppled trees onto roads, vehicles and homes, killing at least two people in the Washington cities of Lynnwood and Bellevue. Communities in Washington opened warming centers offering free internet and device charging. Some medical clinics closed because of power outages. “I’ve been here since the mid-’80s. I haven’t seen anything like this,” said Trish Bloor, who serves on the city of Issaquah’s Human Resources Commission, as she surveyed damaged homes. Up to 16 inches (about 41 centimeters) of rain was forecast in southwestern Oregon and California's northern counties through Friday. The Sonoma County Airport, in the wine country north of San Francisco, received 6.92 inches (17.5 centimeters) Wednesday, breaking a record from 1998. In nearby Forestville, one person was hurt when a tree fell on a house. Small landslides were reported across the North Bay, including one on State Route 281 on Wednesday that caused a car crash, according to Marc Chenard, a weather service meteorologist. Rain slowed somewhat, but “persistent heavy rain will enter the picture again by Friday morning,” the weather service's San Francisco office said on the social platform X. “We are not done!” Dangerous flash flooding, rockslides and debris flows were possible, especially where hillsides were loosened by recent wildfires, officials warned. Scott Rowe, a hydrologist with the weather service in Sacramento, said that so far the ground has been able to absorb the rain in Butte and Tehama counties, where the Park Fire burned this summer. “It’s not necessarily how much rain falls; it’s how fast the rain falls,” Rowe said. Northern Mendocino and southern Humboldt counties received between 4 and 8 inches (10 and 20 centimeters) of rain in the last 48 hours, and similar amounts were expected over the next 48 hours, forecasters said. Wind gusts could top 50 mph (80 kph). Santa Rosa Division Chief Fire Marshal Paul Lowenthal said 100 vehicles were stuck for hours in the parking lot of a hotel and medical center after a creek flooded Thursday afternoon. Emergency workers waded in thigh-high water. Some cars had to be towed after being flooded, but Lowenthal said a slight break in the rain could allow other vehicles to escape. A winter storm watch was in place for the northern Sierra Nevada above 3,500 feet (1,070 meters), with 15 inches (38 centimeters) of snow possible over two days. Wind gusts could top 75 mph (121 kph) in mountain areas, forecasters said. Sugar Bowl Resort, north of Lake Tahoe near Donner Summit, picked up a foot (30 centimeters) of snow overnight, marketing manager Maggie Eshbaugh said Thursday. She said the resort will welcome skiers and boarders on Friday, the earliest opening date in 20 years. “And then we’re going to get another whopping of another foot or so on Saturday, so this is fantastic,” she said. Another popular resort, Palisades Tahoe, is also opening Friday, five days ahead of schedule, according to its website. The storm already dumped more than a foot of snow along the Cascades in Oregon by Wednesday night, according to the weather service. Forecasters warned of blizzard and whiteout conditions and nearly impossible travel at pass level. More than a dozen schools closed in the Seattle area Wednesday, and some opted to extend the closures through Thursday. In Enumclaw, east of Seattle, residents were cleaning up after their town clocked the highest winds in the state Tuesday night: 74 mph (119 kph). Sophie Keene said the powerful gusts caused transformers to blow out. “Things were exploding, like, everywhere,” Keene told the Seattle Times. “Like the transformers over by the park. One blew big, it looked like fireworks.” Ben Gibbard, lead singer of the indie rock bands Death Cab for Cutie and Postal Service, drove from his Seattle neighborhood Thursday morning to the woods of Tiger Mountain for his regular weekday run, but there were too many trees blocking the trail. “We didn’t get hit that hard in the city,” he said. “I just didn’t assume it would be this kind of situation out here. Obviously you feel the most for people who had their homes partially destroyed by this.” In California, there were reports of more than 21,000 power outages Thursday. Only 50 vehicles per hour were allowed through part of northbound Interstate 5 from 10 miles (16 kilometers) north of Redding to 21 miles (34 kilometers) south of Yreka due to snow, according to California's Department of Transportation. Transportation officials also shut down a two-mile (3.2 kilometer) stretch of the famed Avenue of the Giants, a scenic drive named for its towering coast redwoods, due to flooding. About 150 flights were delayed and another two dozen were canceled early Thursday at San Francisco International Airport after hundreds of delays and dozens of cancelations the previous day, according to tracking service FlightAware. Parched areas of the Northeast got a much-needed shot of precipitation Thursday, providing a bit of respite in a region plagued by wildfires and dwindling water supplies. More than 2 inches (5 centimeters) of rain was expected by Saturday morning in areas north of New York City, with snow mixed in at higher elevations. “Any rainfall is going to be significant at this point,” said Brian Ciemnecki, a weather service meteorologist in New York City, where the first drought warning in 22 years was issued this week. “Is it going to break the drought? No, we’re going to need more rain than that.” Har reported from San Francisco, and Weber from Los Angeles. Associated Press writers Hallie Golden and Gene Johnson in Seattle; Martha Bellisle in Issaquah, Washington; Sarah Brumfield in Washington, D.C.; and Michael Hill in Albany, New York, contributed.Jimmy Carter, 39th U.S. president, Nobel winner, dies at 100Afrobeat Sensation PRAIZ D Marks Another Milestone Birthday
