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lodigame login register philippines November 25, 2024 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlightedthe following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: fact-checked trusted source proofread by Chinese Academy of Sciences Rice is one of the world's most essential food crops, but its production is constantly threatened by leaf diseases caused by pathogens such as fungi, bacteria, and viruses. These diseases, which manifest as spots or blotches on leaves, can severely impact crop health and yield. Traditional manual identification of such diseases is labor-intensive and error-prone. The advent of deep learning-based segmentation technologies has brought improvements, but current methods often struggle with irregular disease features, complex backgrounds, and blurred boundaries in leaf images. A study published in Plant Phenomics on 5 August 2024 may help farmers make better decisions, resulting in healthier crops and higher yields while reducing environmental impact . The AISOA-SSformer model introduces several new components to enhance performance in rice leaf disease segmentation. The team implemented the model using PyTorch 1.10.0 to ensure consistency across experiments. The Sparse Global-Update Perceptron (SGUP) is employed to stabilize the learning process, effectively capturing the irregular features of leaf diseases. Additionally, a Salient Feature Attention Mechanism (SFAM) is incorporated to help the model filter out background noise while focusing on important features. This is achieved through two key modules: the Spatial Reconstruction Module (SRM) and the Channel Reconstruction Module (CRM), which work together to separate and optimize disease features. To further enhance accuracy, the model uses the Annealing-Integrated Sparrow Optimization Algorithm (AISOA), which adjusts the training process to avoid being trapped in local optima and improves the recognition of fuzzy leaf edges. Compared to existing models, AISOA-SSformer achieved an impressive 83.1% mean intersection over union (MIoU), an 80.3% Dice coefficient, and a recall of 76.5%, making it one of the most accurate methods for segmenting rice leaf diseases. Ablation studies confirmed the combined impact of SGUP, SFAM, and AISOA, boosting the MIoU and Dice coefficients significantly. Comparative analyses with established models, including CNN-based and Transformer architectures, highlighted AISOA-SSformer's superior ability to segment rice leaf diseases, even in complex environments, emphasizing its potential for practical agricultural applications. The AISOA-SSformer model represents a breakthrough in precision agriculture, providing an advanced tool for identifying rice leaf diseases. By enhancing segmentation accuracy and addressing complex backgrounds and irregular disease patterns, this model has the potential to revolutionize crop disease management. In the future, it could be applied to other crops and agricultural challenges, making significant contributions to sustainable farming and food security. More information: Weisi Dai et al, AISOA-SSformer: An Effective Image Segmentation Method for Rice Leaf Disease Based on the Transformer Architecture, Plant Phenomics (2024). DOI: 10.34133/plantphenomics.0218 Provided by Chinese Academy of Sciences

Video game ends ‘collaboration’ with Conor McGregor

Stocks closed higher on Wall Street, giving the market its fifth gain in a row and notching another record high for the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The S&P 500 rose 0.3% Friday. The Dow added 1%, and the Nasdaq composite tacked on 0.2%. Retailers had some of the biggest gains. Gap soared after reporting quarterly results that easily beat analysts’ estimates. EchoStar fell after DirecTV called off its purchase of that company’s Dish Network unit. European markets closed mostly higher and Asian markets ended mixed. Treasury yields held relatively steady in the bond market. Crude oil prices gained ground. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. Stocks rose on Wall Street in afternoon trading Friday, keeping the market on track for its fifth straight gain. The S&P 500 was up 0.2% and was solidly on track for a weekly gain that will erase most of last week's loss. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 333 points, or 0.8%, and the Nasdaq composite was essentially flat with a gain of less than 0.1% as of 3:07 p.m. Eastern. Markets have been volatile over the last few weeks, losing ground in the runup to elections in November, then surging following Donald Trump's victory, before falling again. The S&P 500 has been steadily rising throughout this week to within close range of its record. “Overall, market behavior has normalized following an intense few weeks,” said Mark Hackett, chief of investment research at Nationwide, in a statement. Several retailers jumped after giving Wall Street encouraging financial updates. Gap soared 10.8% after handily beating analysts' third-quarter earnings and revenue expectations, while raising its own revenue forecast for the year. Discount retailer Ross Stores rose 1.5% after raising its earnings forecast for the year. EchoStar fell 2.4% after DirecTV called off its purchase of that company's Dish Network unit. Smaller company stocks had some of the biggest gains. The Russell 2000 index rose 1.8%. A majority of stocks in the S&P 500 were gaining ground, but those gains were kept in check by slumps for several big technology companies. Nvidia fell 3.3%. Its pricey valuation makes it among the heaviest influences on whether the broader market gains or loses ground. The company has grown into a nearly $3.6 trillion behemoth because of demand for its chips used in artificial-intelligence technology. Intuit, which makes TurboTax and other accounting software, fell 5.6%. It gave investors a quarterly earnings forecast that fell short of analysts’ expectations. Facebook owner Meta Platforms fell 0.8% following a decision by the Supreme Court to allow a multibillion-dollar class action investors’ lawsuit to proceed against the company. It stems from the privacy scandal involving the Cambridge Analytica political consulting firm. European markets closed mostly higher and Asian markets ended mixed. Crude oil prices rose. Treasury yields held relatively steady in the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.41% from 4.42% late Thursday. In the crypto market, Bitcoin hovered around $99,000, according to CoinDesk. It has more than doubled this year and first surpassed the $99,000 level on Thursday. Retailers remained a big focus for investors this week amid close scrutiny on consumer spending habits headed into the holiday shopping season. Walmart, the nation's largest retailer, reported a quarter of strong sales and gave investors an encouraging financial forecast. Target, though, reported weaker earnings than analysts' expected and its forecast disappointed Wall Street. Consumer spending has fueled economic growth, despite a persistent squeeze from inflation and high borrowing costs. Inflation has been easing and the Federal Reserve has started trimming its benchmark interest rates. That is likely to help relieve pressure on consumers, but any major shift in spending could prompt the Fed to reassess its path ahead on interest rates. Also, any big reversals on the rate of inflation could curtail spending. Consumer sentiment remains strong, according to the University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index. It revised its latest figure for November to 71.8 from an initial reading of 73 earlier this month, though economists expected a slight increase. It's still up from 70.5 in October. The survey also showed that consumers' inflation expectations for the year ahead fell slightly to 2.6%, which is the lowest reading since December of 2020. Wall Street will get another update on how consumers feel when the business group The Conference Board releases its monthly consumer confidence survey on Tuesday. A key inflation update will come on Wednesday when the U.S. releases its October personal consumption expenditures index. The PCE is the Fed's preferred measure of inflation and this will be the last PCE reading prior to the central bank's meeting in December.It is predicted there that for students of law coming out today, the real challenge and the real opportunity is that you are moving into an era where the jurisprudence around technology is almost going to be written ab initio, said Former Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, Rajeev Chandrasekhar while addressing the INET-YSI-Bennett University conference on Saturday. Stressing the new framework, Rajeev Chandrasekhar said, "What we know of the past, what we know about the legal playbook in the past is going to be completely obsolete. And almost from the ground up, there is going to be new jurisprudence and a new framework of laws, rights and issues that will need to be adjudicated in the future." Further speaking about AI and its potential usage, he said, "And in a lot of ways, that point, if you extend and expand forward to AI, holds true for artificial intelligence, for harm, for its applications, for privacy, for who owns what on the internet, monetization of personal, non-personal data and there is a whole school, a whole area of jurisprudence that will be explored and written in the coming years." He further stated that "we are living in the AI age and there is no doubt about that." Praising the Modi government, Rajeev Chandrasekhar remarked, "In the last ten years, India and for most of you who have lived and experienced India, there has been a deep tectonic transformation in India. So we know bridges have been built, roads have been built, infrastructure have been created, our economy has been modernized, the government's own budget has tripled and quadrupled, we are the fastest growing economy in the world, we have the fastest growing digital economy in the world, our innovation economy is going to be almost a one-fourth of our GDP." Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.

Citi made a minority investment in mortgage infrastructure provider Pylon . In addition, the companies are working together to provide Pylon customers with direct access to Citi’s institutional-grade products and rates by integrating the liquidity offered by Citi’s mortgage trading desk directly into the Pylon platform, the companies said in a Tuesday (Nov. 26) press release . “Pylon’s next-generation, multi-product platform is built on an intelligent core,” Patrick Brett , head of Citi SPRINT Investments, said in the release. “We’re excited to launch this strategic initiative and deliver the scale of our industry-leading Spread Products business to Pylon.” Citi invested jointly through its Spread Products Investment Technologies (SPRINT) unit and Citi Ventures , according to the release . It joined Pylon’s existing investors Conversion Capital , Allegis Capital , Peter Thiel , QED and Fifth Wall . Pylon was founded in 2022 and serves wealth management, homebuilding, servicers, banks and select lenders, per the release. The company’s platform delivers programmatic originations and capital through APIs. The investment from Citi is a “significant milestone” for the mortgage infrastructure provider, Pylon founder and CEO Trent Hedge said in the release. “Our connectivity with Citi’s mortgage trading desk delivers the same unobstructed access to Wall Street that was previously only available to the largest market participants,” Hedge said. Meanwhile, mortgages and other credit are getting harder to come by. The Credit Access Survey released Nov. 18 by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York showed that while demand was on par with previous readings, credit applications were rejected at the highest rate since the start of the survey in 2013. “Reported rejection rates for credit cards, mortgages, auto loans, credit card limit extension applications and mortgage loan refinance applications all rose in 2024,” the New York Fed said in a press release that accompanied the data. With many younger buyers finding themselves priced out of the housing market, the age of a typical homebuyer has reached an all-time high of 56, according to data from the National Association of Realtors ’ 2024 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers .Published 3:54 pm Tuesday, November 26, 2024 By Associated Press EAGAN — The game had suddenly gone sideways for the Minnesota Vikings, their 11-point lead on the Chicago Bears having evaporated in the closing seconds. They straightened it out in overtime, no sweat, because Sam Darnold simply hasn’t been fazed. Save for his occasional rash of turnovers, in games the Vikings still managed to win, Darnold proved again on Sunday in defeating the Bears that he’s directing a passing attack with the potential to be one of the NFL ‘s most potent. “I think he’s a mentally tough guy. I think he’s a physically tough guy. I think he’s confident in the guys around him, and I think he’s confident in our system,” coach Kevin O’Connell said after the 30-27 victory. “I think when he just continues to play quarterback at a high level, I think we’re a tough team.” After the defense forced the Bears to punt on the opening possession of overtime, Darnold led the Vikings on a 68-yard drive to set up the game-ending field goal while overcoming a 7-yard sack on the first play and two subsequent setbacks with a false start and a holding penalty. On third-and-10 from the 21, he hit Jordan Addison near the sideline for 13 yards. On first-and-15 from the 29, Darnold threaded a throw to Justin Jefferson for 20 yards after he’d muscled his way through Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson on a post route for the clutch catch after he’d been all but silenced all afternoon by a defense determined to constantly bracket him with double coverage. On second-and-11 from the 48, Darnold connected with a wide-open T.J. Hockenson underneath for 12 yards. Then two plays later off a second-and-8 play-action fake, he found Hockenson again on a deep corner route for 29 yards to put Parker Romo in prime position for the walk-off winner. “Just execute. It’s as simple as that. Just one play at a time,” said Darnold, who went 22 for 34 for 330 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover. “I think I tell the guys that every single time in the huddle, but that’s my mindset every single time I’m out there on the field, especially in that situation.” Even when Jefferson continues to draw an extraordinary amount of coverage, the Vikings with Addison, Hockenson, Aaron Jones and the rest of their crew running O’Connell’s system have proven they have an offense that can go win a game when it’s required. That wouldn’t be possible without Darnold, whose career rebirth has helped spark the Vikings (9-2) become one of the league’s biggest surprises in what’s now its most difficult division. “He’s cool, calm, collected,” Hockenson said. “That’s what you want as the leader of the huddle.” What’s working The Vikings’ defense ranks ninth in the league on third downs, allowing a conversion rate of 34.5% after limiting the Bears to a 6-for-17 performance. The Vikings are tied for first on fourth downs with an allowance of 36.4% after the Bears went 2 for 3. Both conversions came in the fourth quarter during touchdown drives. The Vikings also rank fourth in the NFL in opponent points per drive (1.52). What needs help The Vikings had seven possessions that crossed the 20-yard line in Chicago, but only three of them yielded touchdowns. Their lone turnover was the type of game-altering giveaways they’ve struggled to eliminate this month, a fumble by Aaron Jones at the 1-yard line that ruined a promising first drive. The Vikings are tied for 20th in the league in red zone touchdown rate (53.9%) and are 17th in goal-to-go touchdowns (72%). Stock up Addison had eight catches for 162 yards, both career highs, and a touchdown on nine throws from Darnold. The second-year wide receiver has had a quieter season than his rookie year, but he stepped up in a significant way on an afternoon when Jefferson was as smothered by the opposing secondary as ever. Stock down TE Johnny Mundt had the onside kick glance off his shin as he charged toward the coverage, and the first kicking team recovery in the NFL this season helped the Bears extend the game. Mundt also had the false start on the overtime drive. His lone catch was a 7-yard gain when he was stopped short of the goal line, one play before the lost fumble. Mundt played 33 of 71 snaps and Hockenson took 48 snaps with Oliver out. Injuries The Vikings lost LT Cam Robinson (foot) and LB Ivan Pace (hamstring) to injuries in the first quarter against the Bears, and O’Connell said on Monday those players were still in “evaluation mode.” Oliver (ankle) will have an opportunity to return after being sidelined last week. Key number 101.7 — Darnold’s passer rating, which ranks ninth in the NFL. Darnold has posted a 100-plus passer rating in nine of 11 games this season. He had only 12 such performances in 56 career starts before joining the Vikings. Up next The Vikings have four of their next five games at home, starting with Arizona (6-5) this week, Atlanta (6-5) on Dec. 8 and a rematch with Chicago (4-7) in a Monday night game on Dec. 16.By Charles Worren E. Laureta UNITED STATES presidential elections, policy rate cuts, and reserve requirement ratio’s (RRR) reduction rocked the Philippines’ financial markets in the third quarter. The Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) – the country’s barometer for the stock market — closed at 7,272.65 in the third quarter, a 13.4% increase quarter on quarter, while the index also inched up by 15.1% from 6,321.24 finish in the third quarter last year. On the other hand, the peso closed at P56.03 against the dollar in the third quarter, appreciating by 4.4% from the second quarter’s P58.61 to a dollar. Year on year, the local unit strengthened by 1% from P56.58 finish in the third quarter last year, according to data from Bankers Association of the Philippines. Meanwhile, demand for Treasury bills (T-bills) auctions saw a total subscription reaching to P796.53 billion with P293 billion total offered amount in the third quarter. Moreover, the oversubscription of P503.57 billion was higher than the P401.43 billion in the second quarter. The demand for Treasury bonds (T-bonds) inched up to P896.18 billion from P611.84 billion in the second quarter. This demand was also higher than the aggregate offered amount of P370 billion in the third quarter. At the secondary bond market, domestic yields decreased by 78.28 basis points (bps) on a quarterly average, according to the data from the PHP Bloomberg Valuation (BVAL) Service Reference Rates on the Philippine Dealing System’s website. The yields also inched down by 68.73 bps on a year-on-year basis. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said that the US Federal reserve decision to cut the policy rate by 50 bps last September affected the movement of the financial market in the third quarter. “For third quarter 2024, local financial markets have shown signs of recovery. This recovery was underpinned by the US Federal Reserve’s decision to reduce its policy interest rate by 50 bps in September, supported by indications of moderation in US economic activity, an improving inflation environment, and easing labor market conditions,” the Philippine central bank said. Michael L. Ricafort, chief economist at Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., said in an e-mail that the Federal Reserve cut that could be matched locally would lead to a lower financing and borrowing cost, resulting to a higher demand for loans and credit that would bring more investments, global trade, employment, and other business and economic activities, leading to a faster gross domestic product (GDP) growth. “The BSP started lowering policy rate reducing borrowing costs by a total of 50 bps since August boosting fixed-income markets by supporting bond prices, but the rate cuts were cautious due to inflation concerns, meaning limited immediate impact on equities,” John Paolo R. Rivera, senior research fellow at Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), said in a Viber message. Last August, BSP cut the target reverse repurchase (RRP) rate by 25 basis points (bps) to 6.25% from over 17-year high of 6.5% for the first time in four years amid improving inflation outlook. A month later, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates by half of a percentage point, kicking off what is expected to be a steady easing of monetary policy with a larger-than-usual reduction in borrowing costs that followed growing unease about the health of the job market, according to Reuters report. The BSP made another 25-bps interest rate cut last October, since the price pressures remains manageable, according to BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. Meanwhile, Nicholas Antonio T. Mapa, senior economist at Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co., said that the US elections impacted the financial market, alongside with Federal Reserve policy stance, and tension in the Middle East and North African region. Sunny Liu, lead economist at Oxford Economics’ Macro Forecasting and Analysis, said that the US elections had significant impact on Philippine financial market. “For example, the peso has been under pressure since October, and Trump’s victory sent the peso to near-historical lows. Also, the 10-year government bond yield increased during the same period. These movements were largely due to market expectations regarding the US rate outlook in response to Trump’s likely fiscal stimulus and tariff plans,” Ms. Liu said in an email. US President-elect Donald J. Trump recaptured the White House with a sweeping victory as tens of millions of Americans looked past his criminal charges and divisive rhetoric to embrace a leader who, if he carries out his campaign promises, will test the limits of presidential power. Moreover, BSP said that the uptrend in financial markets were driven by BSP’s decision to reduce the policy rate by 25 bps and the announcement of a 100- to 250-bps reduction of the banks’ RRR, effective on Oct. 25. “Another unique positive factor for the Philippines: latest cut in banks’ RRR announced on Sept. 20, 2024, effective Oct. 25, 2024 that infused about P400 billion into the financial system that would increase banks’ loans, investments such as in bonds and fixed income instruments, equities and stocks, and other investments; there would also be more pesos in the banking system that could be used to purchase US dollar and other foreign currencies.” Mr. Ricafort said. Last September, BSP announced that it would reduce the RRR for big banks and nonbank financial institutions with quasi-banking functions by 250 bps to 7% from 9.5% on Oct. 25. This will also reduce the ratio for digital banks by 200 bps to 4%; thrift banks by 100 bps to 1%; and rural banks and cooperative banks by 100 bps to 0% to promote better pricing for financial services and lower intermediation costs. INDICATORS TO WATCH FOR BSP said that developments in the timing and pace of US monetary policy easing, results of the US presidential elections, prospects on global economic growth, and geopolitical concerns are expected to influence movements in domestic financial markets in the last quarter of 2024 and next year. Mr. Mapa also said that investors will be trained on president-elect Trump’s economic and geopolitical impact on the world economy, after recapturing the White House. “The Federal Reserve’s policy stance will still be in focus with the Trump win set to impact the targeted path for Federal Reserve policy,” Mr. Mapa said in an e-mail. Mr. Ricafort said that market players should look into possible protectionist policies by Mr. Trump. “Higher US inflation: amid possible more protectionist policies and trade war that could lead to higher tariff rates on imports from China and other countries, tighter immigration rules that could increase US labor costs,” Mr. Ricafort said. “Of course, all eyes are on what Trump will do and how it will affect global trade in general,” Kervin Laurence Sisayan, head of research at Maybank Securities Philippines, Inc. said in an e-mail. Last November, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point as its policy makers began taking stock of what could become a more complex economic landscape when President-elect Donald Trump takes office next year, according to Reuters report. Mr. Sisayan also said that market players should look into further rate cuts that could lead to the movement of the peso. “I think exchange rate developments will be a key indicator for market players to watch for the rest of the year. If the peso continues to depreciate significantly, it could raise concerns for the BSP in considering future rate cuts,” Ms. Liu said. On Nov. 21, the peso hit a record-low of P59-a-dollar level for the first time in more than two years. This marked the first time the peso returns to the P59 level against dollar since Oct. 17, 2022, as dollar continued its rally. RATE CUT Mr. Mapa said that BSP will continue its rate-cutting cycle in the future with inflation expected to stay within target this year, next year, and in 2026. “There is little in the bag to justify keeping rates at these elevated levels,” Mr. Mapa said. For Mr. Ricafort, the BSP could still match future Federal Reserve rate cuts, provided that local inflation remains within the BSP target of 2-4%, and the US dollar and peso exchange rate remains stable. “We still expect BSP to continue its easing cycle since we expect inflation to remain within the target range 2-4%,” Ms. Liu said. “Although headline inflation began easing in third quarter, it remained elevated due to typhoons, high food and energy costs. Persistent inflation kept bond yields high, as investors sought compensation for inflation risk, impacting fixed-income securities,” Mr. Rivera said. BSP said that it will continue to shift to a less restrictive monetary policy due to well-anchored inflation expectation and within-target inflation outlook. “Given the usual lags of monetary policy transmission, we are now paying closer attention to what may happen in 2025 and 2026. We remain mindful of the upside risks to inflation,” BSP said. The central bank also inclined to reduce the policy rate at a measured pace to facilitates a smoother transmission of monetary policy to market interest rates. Although Mr. Remolona already signaled the possibility of another 25-bp cut at the monetary board’s last meeting for the year on Dec. 19, he said that a 50-bp cut was unlikely since it is too aggressive. FIXED-INCOME MARKET Mr. Ricafort: One of the biggest market catalysts for third quarter 2024 are the first rate cuts in nearly four years by the BSP (by -0.25 on Aug. 15, 2024 and another -0.25 effective Oct. 17, 2024) and also by the US central bank/Federal Reserve (by -0.50 on Sept. 18, 2024 and another -0.25 effective Oct. 17, 2024) that led to gains in the local and US/global financial markets; as Federal Reserve rate cuts that could be matched locally would lead to lower financing costs/borrowing costs that would lead to higher demand for loans/credit that, in turn, would lead to more investments, global trade, employment, and other business/economic activities, thereby leading to faster GDP/economic growth. Mr. Mapa: [We] Should see the yield curve steepen slightly with shorter dated yields easing on projected BSP rate cuts. EQUITIES MARKET Mr. Ricafort: The markets recently priced in Trump US presidency with possible protectionist policies and appointments that could lead to trade wars especially with China and could slow down global trade and overall economic growth, higher tariffs on US imports from China and other countries as well as tighter immigration rules could lead to higher US inflation, thereby could lead to few Federal Reserve rate cuts; amid some cautious signals from most Federal Reserve officials recently on future Federal Reserve rate cuts; net foreign selling in the local stock market over the past three weeks. Mr. Sisayan: We have an optimistic outlook that Philippine Equities will do well next year on a backdrop of easing inflation, declining rates and steady consumer domestic growth. It also helps that Philippine valuations are attractive at current levels. FOREIGN EXCHANGE MARKET Mr. Ricafort: The markets continued to price in Trump US presidency with possible protectionist policies and appointments that could lead to trade wars especially with China and could slow down global trade and overall economic growth, higher tariffs on US imports from China and other countries as well as tighter immigration rules could lead to higher US inflation, thereby could lead to few Federal Reserve rate cuts; amid some cautious signals from most Federal Reserve officials recently on future Federal Reserve rate cuts. Mr. Mapa: Philippine peso to stay pressured during bouts of risk off episodes connected to Donald Trump’s projected tariffs. Philippine peso should also face pressure on renewed Dollar demand as private investment recovers now that the BSP has started to ease. Ms. Liu: Regarding the foreign exchange market, we expect the peso to depreciate further against the USD, given that the dollar is expected to be supported by higher long-term yield in the US.

Alabama AD Greg Byrne Says School Will 'Assess' Future Scheduling After CFP Snub

Black Friday is among the most awaited shopping events of the year. Retailers roll out big discounts, special promotions, and doorbuster deals to draw in crowds both online and in stores. Still, many shoppers ask the question: are Black Friday discounts worth it, or just some clever marketing schemes? The article explores the truth behind Black Friday discounts and tips on how to wade through the frenzy and secure real savings. Black Friday is attractive because it is popularized as a day to save on things that do only come around once in every year. It has transcended from being purely the American phenomenon to encompass different retailers across the world, which have joined in their participation. The anticipation from the event is created through thorough advertisements, countdown to purchases, and limited-period purchase. While some of them are indeed true, others are only the fruit of increased consumer excitement. Retailers understand that urgency around Black Friday will always make people rush to shop because they will be convinced to buy stuff on the spot before discounts are gone. Black Friday discounts often fit into a couple of categories: Doorbusters: These are the very deeply discounted items that exist in limited quantities. They are usually designed to attract people to stores or onto websites fast. However, after they are sold out, other merchandise may not provide as much savings. Percentage-off sales: Some retailers have blanket percentage off of an entire category or store, like "30% off all electronics" or "buy one, get one 50% off." Bundle deals: These offers give a discount on bundles. For instance, when purchasing a laptop , there can be a discounted bundle of the accessories. Flash sales: These are time-bound offers available for only a few hours or even minutes, pushing the urgency to buy right now. While some Black Friday deals are real value, not all discounts look as impressive as they do. Retailers sometimes inflate prices in the weeks leading up to Black Friday, so the discounts seem more significant than they do. Others create "exclusive" deals that seem to be unique to Black Friday but have been available all year in other forms. A popular technique is to sell old models or items whose product cycle is ending at discounted prices. Even though these offers seem to be a bargain, the value they bring might not last long, especially with gadgets or appliances in technology that could soon be overtaken by newer models. Price tracking tools and comparison websites are so important in helping to ensure whether a deal is the real bargain or not. Advanced price monitoring helps keep one from being misled to false discounts, ensuring shopper value for their money in purchasing. To avoid traps of impulsive spending over Black Friday, follow some of these tips: Research the prices beforehand: Use price tracking tools to see the average cost of items before Black Friday. This helps identify real deals versus inflated discounts. Make a list and stick to it: Plan ahead by listing the items needed and their regular prices. This will help focus on genuine savings and avoid impulse buys. Shop early or late: Doorbuster deals are often available only for a short period, so shopping early increases the chance of getting the best bargains. Alternatively, late sales, like Cyber Monday, sometimes offer better deals as retailers try to clear remaining stock. Set a budget: Determine how much to spend and stick to it, even when tempted by seemingly great deals. See if the items purchased can be returned or exchanged easily. Some retailers have a stricter return policy when having holiday sales. Black Friday discounts are worth the hustle and bustle only if approached cautiously and with a well-thought-out strategy. While many deals do indeed offer big savings, others may not be as worthwhile as they seem. If one takes the time to research and set limits and avoids making impulsive purchases, shoppers will be able to navigate the Black Friday frenzy better and make sure that the deals they score are worth it.

Partsol Secures Technology-Enabled Service Subscription with the US ArmyAnalysis: Barkley is NFL's version of OhtaniOttawa police are asking for the public's help in locating a missing 31-year-old man. Erik Vien was last seen at around 9:40 p.m. Sunday, boarding a westbound LRT train at Blair Station. Police said his family is concerned about his health and wellbeing. Vien is described as white, approximately 6-foot-2 (188 cm), with a thin build, dirty blond curly hair, blue eyes and a beard. He was last seen wearing a red plaid coat, dark jeans with paint marks on them, tan coloured construction boots and a dark tuque. Anyone with information about his current whereabouts is asked to call the Ottawa Police at 613-236-1222. Ottawa Top Stories FREEZING RAIN WARNING | 1 to 3 mm of freezing rain possible in Ottawa-Gatineau tonight OC Transpo well below punctuality targets on 'less frequent' routes Cargo ship runs aground in St. Lawrence River near Morrisburg, Ont. OC Transpo hands out 1,900 fines to riders not paying fares in 2 months Katy Perry coming to Ottawa next summer Renovated pool in Pembroke, Ont. could reopen in early 2025 $10k worth of cannabis stolen from Renfrew, Ont. store MISSING | Ottawa police seek help locating missing 31-year-old man CTVNews.ca Top Stories 'It's just not fair': Retirees speak out on being excluded from federal rebate cheques Carol Sheaves of Moncton, N.B., says it's not fair that retirees like her won't get the government's newly proposed rebate cheques. Sheaves was among the seniors who expressed their frustrations to CTVNews.ca about not being eligible for the $250 government benefit. Warren Buffett gives away another US$1.1B, announces plans for distributing $147B fortune after death Investor Warren Buffett renewed his Thanksgiving tradition of giving by announcing plans Monday to hand more than US$1.1 billion of Berkshire Hathaway stock to four of his family's foundations, and he offered new details about who will be handing out the rest of his fortune after his death. Premiers seek 'urgent' meeting with Trudeau before Trump returns to White House Canada's premiers are asking Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to hold an urgent first ministers' meeting ahead of the return to office of president-elect Donald Trump. Deer spotted wearing high-visibility safety jacket in Northern B.C. Andrea Arnold is used to having to slow down to let deer cross the road in her Northern B.C. community. But this weekend she saw something that made her pull over and snap a photo. Canada Post says progress 'limited' at negotiating table as strike continues Canada Post says they have made 'limited progress' with the union at the negotiating table 11 days after the strike began. Los Angeles judge postpones hearing on release of Menendez brothers A Los Angeles County judge on Monday postponed a hearing over the possible release of Lyle and Erik Menendez after 35 years in prison for the shotgun murder of their parents, saying he wanted to hear from a new district attorney due to take office on Dec. 3. Canadian Army corporal fined for stolen valour at Remembrance Day ceremony A corporal in the Canadian Army has been fined $2,000 and given a severe reprimand for wearing service medals he didn't earn during a Remembrance Day ceremony in Alberta two years ago. Defence Minister Bill Blair 'ready to go faster' on spending timeline Defence Minister Bill Blair said Monday that he's ready to work with the incoming Donald Trump administration to speed up Canada's timeline to meet its NATO alliance spending targets. CEOs demand changes to Liberals' military spending plan The federal government risks jeopardizing the economy unless it meets its NATO military alliance spending obligations within the next five years, says the Business Council of Canada. Shopping Trends The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us. Editor's Picks 27 Of The Absolute Best Stocking Stuffers For Men 24 Of The Best Host And Hostess Gifts You Can Find Online Right Now 21 Of The Absolute Best Stocking Stuffers For Kids (And They're All From Amazon Canada) Home Our Guide To The Best Stand Mixers In Canada In 2024 (And Where To Get Them) Our Guide To The Best Nespresso Machines in Canada in 2024 (And Where to Get Them) Our Guide to the Best Jewellery Boxes You Can Find Online Right Now Gifts 19 Of The Best Tech Gifts Under $100 17 Gifts Your Husband Actually Wants 23 Gifts, Add-Ons, And Stocking Stuffers For Anyone Who Spends A Lot Of Time In Their Car Beauty 20 Anti-Aging Skincare Products That Reviewers Can’t Stop Talking About 12 Budget-Friendly Makeup Brushes And Tools Worth Adding To Your Kit If You Suffer From Dry Skin, You'll Want To Add At Least One Of These Hydrating Moisturizers To Your Cart Deals From Anthropologie To Adidas: Here Are The Best Early Black Friday Deals On Clothing And Accessories These Apple Products Are Majorly On Sale On Amazon Canada Right Now, So It Might Be Time To Upgrade Your Tech Black Friday Has Begun On Amazon Canada: Here Are The Best Deals Atlantic 'It's just not fair': Retirees speak out on being excluded from federal rebate cheques Carol Sheaves of Moncton, N.B., says it's not fair that retirees like her won't get the government's newly proposed rebate cheques. Sheaves was among the seniors who expressed their frustrations to CTVNews.ca about not being eligible for the $250 government benefit. Man charged with unsafe storage of a firearm in Tyson MacDonald homicide: RCMP A 61-year-old man is facing unsafe storage charges in connection with the homicide of 17-year-old Tyson MacDonald on P.E.I., last December. From cellphones to dentures: Inside Halifax Transit’s lost and found Every single item misplaced on a bus or ferry in the Halifax Regional Municipality ends up in a small office at the Halifax Transit Bridge Terminal in Dartmouth, N.S. Toronto Ontario government passes bill to limit bike lanes Ontario's Progressive Conservative government has passed a controversial law that will force municipalities to seek approval for installing new bike lanes on arterial roads and could see some existing bike lanes torn up. Toronto mother now facing murder charge in death of four-month old baby Toronto police say they have charged a mother with second-degree murder following the death of her infant, who was found with critical injuries in midtown Toronto last week. 'Embarrassing:' NHL team ditches bus and walks to Scotiabank Arena amid gridlock The Utah Hockey Club got the full Toronto experience Sunday night ahead of their first-ever matchup against the Maple Leafs—bumper-to-bumper traffic that forced the team to walk to the game. Montreal More people hurt in Quebec road accidents after fall time change, data shows New data from Quebec's auto insurance board shows that evening road accidents -- including those involving pedestrians -- rise sharply in the 30 days following the fall time change, when the sun sets earlier. Montreal mayor says Friday pro-Palestinian protests were taken over by 'professional vandals' Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante told journalists 'professional vandals' took over protests and smashed windows at the Palais des Congres. Teen girls engage in more risky behaviour than boys: Quebec study Fewer young people in Quebec secondary schools are drinking alcohol, consuming sugary drinks and eating junk food, but not all their habits are improving. More of them are also inactive, taking action to change their weight and not eating breakfast before going to school, according to a recent study. Northern Ontario Elliot Lake, Ont., woman charged with choking neighbour's dog An intoxicated woman in Elliot Lake has been charged with breaking into her neighbour's apartment and choking their dog. Winter weather advisory in effect for most of northeastern Ont. Environment Canada has issued a winter weather advisory for areas in and around Greater Sudbury, North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie and Timmins. Drug bust after a suspect pointed handgun at victim at northern Ont. gas station Three people have been charged with numerous drug and weapons offences following an incident at a gas station in Bruce Mines, Ont., on Nov. 21. Windsor 'Active investigation' underway in Windsor Windsor police are on the scene of what's being called an, "active investigation." "Expect a sustained police presence in the area," read a post on social media. Memorial put up on Walker Road after fatal crash A memorial is located on Walker Road to mark the site where a Windsor couple was killed after getting struck by a vehicle. Alleged impaired mom found asleep at the wheel with two kids in the backseat Windsor police arrested two motorists for impaired driving in separate incidents over the weekend, including a mom with two small children in the backseat. London 'It’s getting dangerous downtown': Rear entrance of London business sprayed with gunfire London police said that no-one was injured when the back entrance of a downtown cannabis shop was sprayed with gunfire early on Monday morning. 'I just knew something was up': London family recounts rushing to their burning home where pet perished A weekend house fire has left a family displaced and taken the life of a beloved pet. The blaze at 454 Alston Road broke out shortly after 12:30 p.m. Christmas tax break will be 'challenging' for small businesses, says gift shop owner Tom Fincher is all for a tax break for consumers but implementing the GST tax break announced by the federal government last week at his till will be easier said than done. Kitchener Waterloo reviews most collision-prone areas to improve safety The City of Waterloo is trying to make its roads safer by putting together a report on some of the locations with the most crashes in the past five years. Driver warned after police receive complaints about car decked out in Christmas lights in Waterloo Drivers are being reminded not to take the holiday spirit too far after police received complaints about a distracting vehicle in Waterloo. Kitchener, Ont. doctor officially claims second Guinness World Record A Kitchener, Ont. emergency room doctor has officially earned his second Guinness World Records title. Barrie 'James deceived us,' Slain Collingwood, Ont. woman's family speak ahead of husband's sentencing James Schwalm sat in the prisoner’s box Monday morning weeping as friends and family members told the court about the devastation he caused when he murdered his wife, Ashley Milne, two years ago inside their Collingwood, Ont. home. Novice driver charged with speeding 95km/h over limit on Hwy 11 accused of being impaired A Thornhill resident accused of driving at a high rate of speed along Highway 11 in Muskoka while impaired faces charges. Freezing rain, snow in the forecast for Muskoka A freezing rain warning is in effect for Muskoka, with slippery roads and power outages possible. Winnipeg Winnipeg police shoot, kill suspect after officer stabbed in the throat Manitoba’s police watchdog is investigating a deadly police shooting at Winnipeg's Unicity Shopping Centre Sunday evening. Mounties looking for missing car in connection with suspicious death Manitoba RCMP are looking for a missing car connected to an investigation into human remains discovered north of Winnipeg. $4.2M from feds to create Indigenous-led family care centre in Winnipeg A new Indigenous-led family care centre will be coming to Winnipeg, with more than $4.2 million for the project coming from the federal government. Calgary Alberta seeks to 'de-risk' oil, gas pipeline investments in wake of Trump victory Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says her government is looking for ways to encourage pipeline companies to boost capacity and increase Alberta's oil and gas export volumes to the U.S. $3.69M Calgary mansion with basketball court for sale in Aspen Woods If you've ever dreamed of having a home with a basketball court, now's your chance. Alberta aiming to create test site to support new drilling technologies Alberta’s government says it will invest up to $50 million to support the creation of a first-in-Canada drilling test site to support technology development in the oil, gas, geothermal and lithium industries. Edmonton 24 arsons in south Edmonton under police investigation The Edmonton Police Service now says it is investigating 24 suspicious fires in south Edmonton. Death of worker in Edmonton smokehouse leads to 26 charges against food processing company An Ontario-based food processing company is facing 26 charges under Alberta Occupational Health and Safety legislation in connection with the death of a worker at an Edmonton facility in 2023. The story of Alberta's rural long COVID program that never was As better diagnosis and symptom management emerged for people with long COVID, researchers in Alberta set to work creating a program that could remotely connect urban specialists and rural patients. Between development and clinical implementation, the project was shelved. Regina Sask. Party prioritizes affordability, civility with opposition in Throne Speech The Saskatchewan Party government said it will prioritize affordability in the coming months during its Throne Speech on Monday, that officially kicked off a short two-week sitting inside the legislature. Regina commits to clearing all 'high priority roads' of snow by Tuesday morning Following a second significant dump of snow in less than a week, the City of Regina says it plans to have all high priority roadways cleared by 7:00 a.m. Tuesday. Regina police release images of suspects following early morning armed robbery Regina police are looking for two people following an early morning armed robbery in the city's downtown on Monday. Saskatoon Sask. Party prioritizes affordability, civility with opposition in Throne Speech The Saskatchewan Party government said it will prioritize affordability in the coming months during its Throne Speech on Monday, that officially kicked off a short two-week sitting inside the legislature. Saskatoon's second big snowfall in a week won't trigger emergency response: City City crews and contractors are at it again — clearing roadways after another major snowfall. Two dead after crash on Saskatchewan Highway 4 Two people are dead following a two-vehicle crash on Highway 4 Friday evening. Vancouver Deer spotted wearing high-visibility safety jacket in Northern B.C. Andrea Arnold is used to having to slow down to let deer cross the road in her Northern B.C. community. But this weekend she saw something that made her pull over and snap a photo. Wild weather behind 11-cent surge in Vancouver gas prices, analyst says The intense storms that battered parts of B.C. and the United States last week are partly to blame for a significant surge in Vancouver gas prices, according to a petroleum analyst. Canadian border agents seize 246 kilos of cocaine in B.C. Canadian border officials in British Columbia have seized nearly a quarter-tonne of cocaine that was coming into the province in three separate smuggling incidents in recent weeks, according to the agency. Vancouver Island Canadian Army corporal fined for stolen valour at Remembrance Day ceremony A corporal in the Canadian Army has been fined $2,000 and given a severe reprimand for wearing service medals he didn't earn during a Remembrance Day ceremony in Alberta two years ago. Deer spotted wearing high-visibility safety jacket in Northern B.C. Andrea Arnold is used to having to slow down to let deer cross the road in her Northern B.C. community. But this weekend she saw something that made her pull over and snap a photo. Vancouver Whitecaps drop head coach Vanni Sartini Two weeks after the Vancouver Whitecaps’ playoff run ended in the first round, the team has fired head coach Vanni Sartini. Kelowna Man in hospital following targeted shooting in Kamloops Police are appealing for information on a targeted shooting that resulted in the hospitalization of a man in Kamloops. Police cleared of fault in fatal 2023 crash in B.C.'s Interior British Columbia's independent police watchdog has cleared officers of wrongdoing in a crash where three people were killed south of Kamloops in July of last year. B.C. woman sentenced for stealing $14K in funds raised for schoolkids A B.C. woman who stole more than $14,000 in volunteer-raised funds that were supposed to be spent on school supplies and programs – including hot meals for vulnerable kids – won't spend any time in jail. Stay Connected

African fusion music is a vibrant testament to the continent's rich cultural tapestry and its powerful influence on the global stage. This genre skillfully weaves together the heartbeat of traditional African rhythms with the pulse of various international musical styles, creating a unique and electrifying sonic experience. The artists leading this wave are more than just musicians - they are cultural ambassadors, bridging continents with their innovative sounds. Pioneers of the new sound Pioneers like Fela Kuti and Miriam Makeba established the foundations of African fusion music. Kuti's Afrobeat—melding traditional Nigerian music with jazz and funk—served as a powerful political dissent in the '70s and '80s. Similarly, Makeba's integration of Xhosa and Zulu songs into global jazz rhythms secured her international recognition. These trailblazers paved the way for future generations to navigate cross-cultural musical landscapes. Contemporary voices shaping fusion The holy trinity of African fusion—Burna Boy, Angelique Kidjo, and Wizkid—represents a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation. Burna Boy uniquely merges Afrobeat with global genres, proudly showcasing his Nigerian roots. Angelique Kidjo, a Grammy-winning icon, masterfully fuses West African traditions with American music, consistently earning critical acclaim. Meanwhile, Wizkid has propelled Afrobeats to global prominence, uniting cultures through his versatile collaborations and redefining the genre's reach.Together, they embody the dynamic evolution of African music on the world stage. The role of technology in spreading fusion music The internet has been instrumental in propelling African fusion music to a global audience. Platforms such as YouTube , Spotify , and Apple Music have provided a springboard for these artists, enabling them to transcend geographical boundaries and reach the ears of listeners worldwide. Additionally, social media facilitates direct interaction between fans and artists, fostering a more connected global community around this genre. Festivals celebrating African fusion music Music festivals around the world are incomplete without African fusion artists. Events such as Coachella in the US, Glastonbury in the UK, and AfroPunk in multiple locations have become crucial in demonstrating the diversity and vitality of this genre on a global scale. Besides featuring established names, these festivals provide a platform for rising talents to gain exposure. Collaborations across continents Collaborations between African fusion artists and musicians from other continents are playing a significant role in shaping the evolution of this genre. For example, collaborations between Nigerian artists and American hip-hop or British grime musicians have produced tracks with cross-cultural appeal, showcasing the power of music to blur geographical boundaries.Zoom’s results beat expectations, but stock slips

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Partsol Secures Technology-Enabled Service Subscription with the US ArmyHigh above the sparkling surface of the Athens coastline, the cranes for building the 50-floor luxury tower centerpiece of Greece’s future “smart city” look out over the Saronic Gulf. At their feet, construction machinery stirs up dust. The eight-billion-euro ($8.5-billion) project financed by private funds is, according to its backers, a symbol of Greece’s renaissance after the years of financial stagnation that saw investors flee the country. Critics, however, see it more as a future “ghetto for the rich”. It is hard to imagine that 10 kilometers (six miles) from the Acropolis, a new city “three times the size of Monaco” will rise from the ground by 2036, according to Odisseas Athanasiou, chief executive of the group Lamda that owns the site. One of Europe’s largest urban regeneration projects, the Ellinikon initiative features plans for villas, two hotels, shopping centers, a university, a marina and other buildings. It will also feature the Riviera Tower, which would be Athens’s tallest skyscraper when it is completed at the end of 2026. Around 30,000 people are expected to live on the 6.2-square-kilometre (2.4-square-mile) site on what for decades was Athens’ international airport. The former terminal, a listed building since the airport relocated in 2001, is to be converted into an exhibition hall. During the 2004 Olympic Games, Ellinikon became a sports hub and hosted sports competitions including canoeing and hockey. But the facilities were subsequently abandoned, and then came the financial crisis, which hit the Greeks hard. Solidarity groups created a self-managed garden, a community grocery shop and a free medical centre at Ellinikon, to make up for the shortcomings of a virtually bankrupt state. Refugees were also temporarily housed in the derelict stadiums during the migrant crisis of 2015. Amid the wave of privatizations imposed by the country’s EU-IMF creditors, Athens was forced to sell Ellinikon. Lamda, a holding company specializing in property development, investment and management, won the bid in 2014 for less than a billion euros. The company is listed on the stock exchange and majority-owned by Greek tycoon Spiros Latsis. Lamda CEO Athanasiou says the company is building “the largest coastal park in the world”, with a third of the surface area reserved for green areas accessible to all. Ellinikon will be a “smart city” with advanced technological solutions, said other project managers who escorted an AFP team in a mini-bus through the huge construction site. An ‘offshore colony’ “We’re building from scratch, which is a major advantage,” Athanasiou said in front of a huge model of the project. “Cities like Singapore, Copenhagen and Amsterdam have done incredible things in terms of technology. But they have had to adapt what they have developed to an existing infrastructure,” he said. In total, the park will have 8,000 to 9,000 homes. The most luxurious apartments in the Riviera Tower can cost up to 25 million euros, Athanasiou said. The least expensive will sell for around 400,000 euros, a price entirely unaffordable for many Athenians, critics say. “This is not a real estate development project, it’s an ‘offshore’ colony,” said Nikos Belavilas, director of the urban environment laboratory at the National Technical University of Athens. “We will have a gated community isolated from the city, with skyscrapers and casinos for the oil-rich,” he said, at a time when Athens is more in need of social or student housing. The concrete-clad capital, with its jumbled streets that have grown out of control, is cruelly lacking in green areas. Ellinikon, with its parks and beaches, represented “an opportunity to have a large urban green space”, Belavilas said. ‘Dire’ It could have become an Athenian Tempelhof, he said, referring to the former West Berlin airport which was transformed into a huge park open to all in the center of the German capital, he said. The Ellinikon project is “dire on several levels”, especially in terms of the “macro-economic management of the country”, one Athenian architect said on condition of anonymity. Other Greeks complain that the state simply flogged off the site. Athanasiou counters that when the privatization took place “we were the only ones to respond to the call for tenders”. He said the project would “strengthen the country’s credibility abroad, which was damaged during the years of crisis”. Up to 80,000 jobs will be created and the Greek state will reap more than 14 billion euros in tax revenue once the project is completed, he said. —AFP