bet777 slot

bet777 slot Jaipur, Dec 8 (PTI) Sapta Shakti Command organised a run to honour the Army veterans for their selfless service and patriotism, an official said on Sunday. Against the backdrop of a crisp winter morning, the run commenced at the Albert Hall with participants racing under the rising sun. The event brought together veterans, soldiers, NCC cadets, professional runners, para-athletes, citizens, specially abled children and organ transplant survivors, defence spokesperson Colonel Amitabh Sharma said. He said that the various categories of runs were flagged off by Colonel Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Minister of Information Technology and Communication, Industries and Commerce, Government of Rajasthan, Lt Gen Manjinder Singh, Army Commander, Mrs. BarinderJit Kaur, Regional President AWWA, Lieutenant General Harbinder Singh Vandra, Chief of Staff, Sapta Shakti Command and Sandeep Bhatnagar, Chief General Manager, State Bank of India. Addressing the gathering, Colonel Rathore lauded the participants for their dedication and underscored the significance of honouring the nation's Veterans. The presence of brand ambassadors like Asian Marathon Champion Sunita Godara, Sangeet Bishnoi, and para-athlete Colonel Anuj Bindra further energised the participants. The mega event included 21 Km, 10 Km, 05 Km timed runs and 03 Km non-timed runs. Prizes up to Rs 30 lakh were distributed to the winners of various categories, promoting fitness, encouraging participation and recognising exceptional performances. The event concluded with jubilant celebrations, echoing the spirit of unity and respect for the veterans. (This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)

CONAKRY, Guinea -- Chaos erupted at a soccer game in Guinea after fans protested a referee's call and thousands of panicked spectators tried to flee the stadium, leaving at least 56 people dead in the West African nation, officials and witnesses said Monday. Amid the confusion, security forces used tear gas, local news website Media Guinea reported. Many of the dead were crushed as they tried to escape through the stadium gates, a journalist covering the game for a local sports website told The Associated Press. "The gates, that's where the stampede happened," said Cissé Lancine, who got away by climbing over one of the stadium walls. "I was saved because I did not rush towards the exit." The world's latest sports crowd disaster unfurled Sunday in the second-largest city in a military-run nation where information is sparse and government-controlled at the best of times. It was not immediately clear how much the death toll could grow. Lancine said between 20,000 and 30,000 people were present at the Third of April stadium to watch the local Labe and Nzerekore teams compete in the final of the first national tournament honoring military leader Mamadi Doumbouya. Checkpoints were set up Monday throughout Nzerekore, a city of about 200,000 that was at a standstill as soldiers guarded the hospital where victims were being treated. Most shops were closed. Video, apparently from the scene, showed shouting fans protesting the refereeing. People ran as they tried to escape the stadium, many of them jumping the high fence. "Supporters threw stones. This is why the security services used tear gas," reported Media Guinea, which also wrote that several of the dead were children and some of the injured were in critical condition. The footage showed people lying on the floor of a hospital as members of a crowd helped the wounded. Enock Loua, a resident of Nzerekore, learned over the phone that his niece Aline Olivier had been killed. "We have a hard time realizing what happened to us, it is as if the sky has fallen on our heads," Loua told The Associated Press. Authorities are trying to establish who was responsible, Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah said on national television. The National Alliance for Alternation and Democracy opposition coalition said the tournament was organized to drum up support for Doumbouya's "illegal and inappropriate" political ambitions. Doumbouya, who ousted then-President Alpha Conde in 2021, has been eyeing a possible run for the presidential election, for which the date has not been set. The transition charter put in place by his own regime does not allow him to run. Guinea is one of a number of West African countries - including Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso - where the military has taken power and delayed a return to civilian rule. Doumbouya said he was preventing the country from slipping into chaos and chastised the previous government for broken promises. He has, however, been criticized for not meeting the expectations that he raised. Guinea's leader announced three days of national mourning starting on Tuesday, in a presidential decree read on national television.Dec 1, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) is tackled by Buffalo Bills safety Taylor Rapp (9) and safety Damar Hamlin (3) in the second quarter at Highmark Stadium. Mark Konezny-Imagn Images/File Photo Dec 1, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason (24) avoids a tackle by Buffalo Bills cornerback Rasul Douglas (31) in the third quarter at Highmark Stadium. Mark Konezny-Imagn Images/File Photo San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey and top backup Jordan Mason are being placed on injured reserve. McCaffrey left the snowy field in Buffalo on Sunday night after a 5-yard gain that was preceded by him heading to the sideline in apparent pain at the end of an 18-yard run. McCaffrey was diagnosed with a posterior cruciate ligament injury in his right knee and did not play in the second half. The 49ers also lost Jordan Mason, who emerged in a starting role with McCaffrey out the first two months of the season, to an ankle injury. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that Mason has a high-ankle sprain, which typically requires a recovery window of 4-6 weeks. Those moves push rookie Isaac Guerendo into the RB1 spot. He scored the team's only touchdown at Buffalo. The IR slots in San Francisco are manned by multiple starters, including wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, linebacker Dre Greenlaw, defensive tackle Javon Hargrave and safety Talanoa Hufanga. Mason had a team-leading 789 rushing yards and scored three touchdowns. Being placed on IR means he's not eligible to play until the regular-season finale at Arizona. McCaffrey had 53 yards on seven carries on Sunday night and caught two passes for 14 yards before exiting. He was playing in just his fourth game of the season after missing the first eight because of Achilles tendinitis. McCaffrey was the NFL Offensive Player of the Year last season, when he led the league with 2,023 yards from scrimmage: a league-leading 1,459 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns plus 67 catches for 564 yards and seven scores. McCaffrey hasn't scored a touchdown in his four appearances this season. He has rushed for 202 yards on 50 carries and caught 15 passes for 146 yards. "It was frustrating," Shanahan said after the game. "He had a great week of practice and I could feel his urgency and stuff and thought he came out great, looking really good, and it looked like he just got his shoestring there. ... I hurt for him, and tough for our team not having him." The 49ers (5-7) played without defensive end Nick Bosa (oblique) and left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) in the 35-10 loss. San Francisco has lost three in a row heading into next Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears (4-8) in Santa Clara, Calif. San Francisco resides two games behind the NFC West-leading Seattle Seahawks (7-5) with five games remaining on the schedule. Seattle and San Francisco split their season series. --Field Level Media REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you. Read 3 articles and stand to win rewards Spin the wheel now

Lawmakers are busy ahead of the upcoming legislative session in Annapolis working on bills to keep your children safe in school. And much of the work is in response to a FOX45 News investigation that found a suspected murderer was allowed to enroll in two local schools, and the schools didn’t know. “The system failed. The state failed,” said Del. Nino Mangione, a Baltimore County Republican. “This is one of the signature, I think, issues that we’re facing. And we need to prioritize the safety of each and every student.” Maryland’s 90-day legislative session in Annapolis starts in January and Mangione is ready. He has pre-filed legislation he’s calling “The Student Protection Act of 2025.” The bill would bar “children suspected of a crime of violence” from attending school in person until the “investigation is complete.” Instead, a school would have to provide “alternative educational options,” such as virtual learning. “I filed this legislation because I refused to sit there and allow this type of just total mistakes, total chaos in our system,” explained Mangione. Mangione drafted the bill following a FOX45 News investigation into Walter Martinez . In July 2022, the MS-13 gang member killed 20-year-old Kayla Hamilton in Harford County. Soon after, police identified Martinez as the primary suspect, according to charging documents. While awaiting DNA results, Martinez, who was in the country illegally as an unaccompanied minor, was placed in foster care with Child Protective Services – where he was enrolled in two local public high schools and neither school was told he was a threat. “This can never happen again. This is the most outrageous thing I’ve ever seen in my six years in politics,” said Mangione. One of the schools Martinez attended was Lansdowne High in Baltimore County. At a recent news event, FOX45 asked Baltimore County Schools superintendent Myriam Rogers whether the school system would consider supporting legislation similar to Mangione’s. “Absolutely. The safety of our students and our staff is our number one concern,” explained Rogers. “And so, every tool that lawmakers can create to help support us in those endeavors – we are moving forward with them in lockstep.” But Mangione is not the only state leader who wants to see change. “We’re here to work with our partners in the legislature,” said Joshua Michael president of the Maryland State Board of Education. “What you’ve raised in this case is that far too often we’re not in communication with our local law enforcement partners.” Remember, when Martinez was placed in foster care and then enrolled in school, FOX45 News uncovered the schools were not informed Martinez was had been suspected of a violent crime. He was just walking the hallways. In response, state education officials like Michael are now working to enhance communication between law enforcement and schools, so district officials can be made aware of potential threats and then provide the most appropriate placement for students like Martinez. Have a news tip? Contact Chris Papst at cjpapst@sbgtv.com .Apple Sued for Knowingly Hosting Child Sexual Abuse Material on Its Products, Failing to Protect Survivors

Phillies add depth to bullpen with $4 million, 1-year deal for reliever Joe Ross

At a meeting of business leaders from India and Southeast Asia in Kuala Lumpur in 2005, ASEAN Secretary-General Ong Keng Yong introduced then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as "the world’s most highly qualified head of government", Sanjaya Baru wrote in his book, 'The Accidental Prime Minister: The Making and Unmaking of Manmohan Singh.' Continues below advertisement window.addEventListener("load", function() { let ad_unit_fire_time = 1000; if(ad_delay_time_abp > 0){ ad_unit_fire_time = parseInt(ad_delay_time_abp) + 500; } setTimeout(function () { googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display("div-gpt-ad-9167143-2"); }); },ad_unit_fire_time) }); The above statement arguably stands true for Manmohan Singh, who held a First Class graduate from the University of Cambridge and a D. Phil from the University of Oxford, who played a pivotal role in steering India’s economic growth toward liberalization in the 1990s. The former prime minister breathed his last at AIIMS, New Delhi on Thursday evening. The archive profile of India's fourteenth prime minister calls him "a thinker and a scholar." Continues below advertisement window.addEventListener("load", function() { let ad_unit_fire_time = 1000; if(ad_delay_time_abp > 0){ ad_unit_fire_time = parseInt(ad_delay_time_abp) + 500; } setTimeout(function () { googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display("div-gpt-ad-1253031-3"); }); },ad_unit_fire_time) }); Former Prime Minister Singh led India between 2004 and 2014 as part of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. However, a decade before becoming the prime minister, Singh put India on the road to liberalisation in the early 1990s, in a move that broke India from the stranglehold of socialist-era policies. Rich Academic Record Manmohan Singh did his initial studies from Punjab. He graduated in Economics from Punjab University in 1952 and finished Master of Arts in Economics in 1954 from the same university. He went on to study at the University of Cambridge in 1957 where he got First Class honours in Economics. In 1962, he did a D. Phil in Economics from Nuffield College at Oxford University. His book, “India’s Export Trends and Prospects for Self-Sustained Growth” was an early critique of India’s inward-oriented trade policy. Check out his complete CV here . Prizes And Awards The former prime minister holds around two dozen awars and honorary degrees two dozen awards and Honorary Degrees from over a dozen universities. He was awarded the Adam Smith Prize at the University of Cambridge (1956), the Wright’s Prize at St. John’s College, Cambridge (1955), Padma Vibhushan Award (1987), Asiamoney Award (1993), Euromoney Award (1993), Jawaharlal Nehru Birth Centenary Award (1995), Justice K.S. Hegde Foundation Award (1997) and Annasaheb Chirmule Award (2000). He was awarded as an Honorary Fellow by several institutions, including, Indian Institute of bankers; St. John’s College, Cambridge; National Institute of Education, N.C.E.R.T; All India Management Association and National Academy of Agricultural Sciences. Moreover, Singh received Honorary Degrees of D.Litt. from several universities, including, Panjab University, Delhi University, University of Bologna in Italy, Osmania University, Indian School of Mines in Dhanbad and Doctor of Laws by the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. From Professor Of Economics To Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh started his career in academics by serving as the Professor of Economics at Panjab University in Chandigarh from 1957-65. Singh's life took a political turn in 1971, when he joined the Government of India as Economic Advisor in the Commerce Ministry. This was soon followed by his appointment as Chief Economic Advisor in the Ministry of Finance in 1972. Here are some of the positions that the former Prime Minister served since the late 1960s: - 1957-1965: Faculty (Economics), Panjab University, Chandigarh - 1966: Economic Affairs Officer - 1966-1969: UNCTAD, United Nations Secretariat, New York - 1969-1971: Professor of International Trade, Delhi School of Economics - 1971-1972: Economic Adviser, Ministry of Foreign Trade, India - 1972-1976: Chief Economic Adviser, Ministry of Finance, India - 1976-1980: Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Dept. of Economic Affairs, GOI - 1980-1982: Member-Secretary, Planning Commission, India - 1982-1985: Governor, Reserve Bank of India - 1985-1987: Dy. Chairman, Planning Commission - 1987-1990: Secretary General and Commissioner, South Commission - 1990-1991: Advisor to Prime Minister of India on Economic Affairs - 1991-1991: Chairman, University Grants Commission - 1991: Elected Member of Rajya Sabha - 1995: Re-elected Member of Rajya Sabha for a term of six years - 1991-1996: Finance Minister of India - 1996-1997: Chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce, Rajya Sabha - 2001: Re-elected as member of Rajya Sabha for a term of six years - 2001: Re-elected as member of Rajya Sabha for a Term of six years - 1998-2004: Leader of Opposition, Rajya Sabha (Council of States) Parliament of India - 2004-2014: Prime Minister of India

MILPITAS, Calif. , Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Global semiconductor equipment billings increased 19% year-over-year to US$30.38 billion in the third quarter of 2024, while quarter-over-quarter billings registered 13% growth during the same period, SEMI announced today in its Worldwide Semiconductor Equipment Market Statistics (WWSEMS) Report . "The global semiconductor equipment market recorded robust growth in the third quarter of 2024 driven by investments aimed at supporting the proliferation of Artificial Intelligence as well as production of mature technologies," said Ajit Manocha , SEMI President and CEO. "The growth in equipment investments was spread across multiple regions seeking to bolster their chipmaking ecosystems, with North America posting the largest year-over-year gain while China continues to lead in spending." Compiled from data submitted by members of SEMI and the Semiconductor Equipment Association of Japan (SEAJ), the WWSEMS Report is a summary of the monthly billings figures for the global semiconductor equipment industry. Following are quarterly billings data in billions of U.S. dollars with quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year changes by region: The SEMI Equipment Market Data Subscription (EMDS) provides comprehensive market data for the global semiconductor equipment market. The subscription includes three reports: Monthly SEMI Billings Report, a perspective on equipment market trends Monthly Worldwide Semiconductor Equipment Market Statistics (WWSEMS), a detailed report of semiconductor equipment billings for seven regions and 24 market segments SEMI Semiconductor Equipment Forecast, an outlook for the semiconductor equipment market Download a sample of the EMDS report . For more information about the report or to subscribe, please contact the SEMI Market Intelligence Team at [email protected] . More details are also available on the SEMI Market Data webpage . About SEMI SEMI ® is the global industry association connecting over 3,000 member companies and 1.5 million professionals worldwide across the semiconductor and electronics design and manufacturing supply chain. We accelerate member collaboration on solutions to top industry challenges through Advocacy, Workforce Development, Sustainability, Supply Chain Management and other programs. Our SEMICON ® expositions and events, technology communities, standards and market intelligence help advance our members' business growth and innovations in design, devices, equipment, materials, services and software, enabling smarter, faster, more secure electronics. Visit www.semi.org , contact a regional office, and connect with SEMI on LinkedIn and X to learn more. Association Contact Samer Bahou /SEMI Phone: 1.408.943.7870 Email: [email protected] SOURCE SEMI

Offering patients an injection is more effective than the current care of steroid tablets and cuts the need for further treatment by 30%, according to a study. Benralizumab is a monoclonal antibody that targets specific white blood cells, called eosinophils, to reduce lung inflammation. It is currently used as a repeat treatment for severe asthma at a low dose, but a new clinical trial has found that a higher single dose can be very effective if injected at the time of a flare-up. The findings, published in the Lancet Respiratory Medicine, included 158 people who needed medical attention in A&E for their asthma or COPD attack (COPD is a group of lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties). Patients were given a quick blood test to see what type of attack they were having, with those suffering an “eosinophilic exacerbation” involving eosinophils (a type of white blood cell) being suitable for treatment. Around 50% of asthma attacks are eosinophilic exacerbations, as are 30% of COPD ones, according to the scientists. The clinical trial, led by King’s College London and carried out at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, saw patients randomly split into three groups. One group received the benralizumab injection and dummy tablets, another received standard care (prednisolone steroids 30mg daily for five days) and a dummy injection, and the third group received both the benralizumab injection and steroids. After 28 days, respiratory symptoms of cough, wheeze, breathlessness and sputum were found to be better in people on benralizumab. And after 90 days, there were four times fewer people in the benralizumab group who failed treatment compared with those receiving steroids. Treatment with the benralizumab injection also took longer to fail, meaning fewer visits to a GP or hospital for patients, researchers said. Furthermore, people also reported a better quality of life on the new regime. Scientists at King’s said steroids can have severe side-effects such as increasing the risk of diabetes and osteoporosis, meaning switching to benralizumab could provide huge benefits. Lead investigator Professor Mona Bafadhel, from King’s, said: “This could be a game-changer for people with asthma and COPD. “Treatment for asthma and COPD exacerbations have not changed in 50 years, despite causing 3.8 million deaths worldwide a year combined. “Benralizumab is a safe and effective drug already used to manage severe asthma. “We’ve used the drug in a different way – at the point of an exacerbation – to show that it’s more effective than steroid tablets, which is the only treatment currently available.” Researchers said benralizumab could also potentially be administered safely at home or in a GP practice, as well as in A&E. First author Dr Sanjay Ramakrishnan, clinical senior lecturer at the University of Western Australia, said: “Our study shows massive promise for asthma and COPD treatment. “COPD is the third leading cause of death worldwide but treatment for the condition is stuck in the 20th century. “We need to provide these patients with life-saving options before their time runs out.” Dr Samantha Walker, director of research and innovation at Asthma and Lung UK, welcomed the findings but said: “It’s appalling that this is the first new treatment for those suffering from asthma and COPD attacks in 50 years, indicating how desperately underfunded lung health research is.” AstraZeneca provided the drug for the study and funded the research, but had no input into trial design, delivery, analysis or interpretation.

Phone service has been restored at PIH Health’s three hospitals where a debilitating ransomware attack purportedly compromised 17 million patient records. The Dec. 1 breach downed computers and most phone systems at PIH Health Downey Hospital, PIH Health Whittier Hospital and PIH Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles. It also compromised systems at the organization’s urgent care centers, doctors’ offices and a home health and hospice agency. PIH announced on its website that services at hospitals for incoming and outgoing calls are available, while phone systems at physician offices should be functional this week. “We are still facing some limited functionality, which we are working on internally,” PIH said in the statement. “However, patients can call the hospitals’ main phone numbers to reach services and patient rooms.” PIH said it has increased staffing to handle an anticipated high volume of phone calls, but noted some medical procedures and surgeries may be cancelled due to ongoing technology issues. “We apologize for any inconvenience caused by this incident, and all our teams continue to work diligently to resolve this issue quickly and bring the rest of our systems back online securely,” Amanda Enriquez, a spokesperson for PIH, said in an email. Last week the Southern California News Group obtained a copy of a threatening typewritten letter purportedly faxed by the unidentified hackers to PIH outlining the scope of the attack. The cyber thieves said they found PIH’s network “highly vulnerable,” with data stored insecurely on servers, and claimed to have stolen about 2 terabytes of files, documents and reports, including: It is unknown if PIH has paid a ransom to the hackers. No known group has publicly claimed responsibility for the attack. PIH said it is working with a cyber forensic specialist and the FBI to unravel the breach. If the hackers’ claims of stealing 17 million records are accurate, the PIH ransomware attack could potentially become the second-largest health data breach this year, according to bankinfosecurity.com. The incident marks the second time hackers have successfully targeted PIH. In June 2019, a targeted email phishing campaign against PIH employees compromised personal and protected health information for nearly 200,000 patients. However, PIH didn’t report the breach to the U.S. Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights until seven months later. According to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations, covered entities must report breaches affecting protected health information within 60 days of discovering the breach. The recent ransomware attack has prompted several law firms to aggressively solicit plaintiffs online for class-action lawsuits against PIH. “Our attorneys believe that any health entity that collects and stores your sensitive data has a duty to properly protect it from ransomware attacks,” the Lyon Firm, which has offices in Irvine, said in on its website. “If a company is deemed negligent and has not maintained reasonably secure IT security systems, they may be held accountable.”Amid renewed interest in the killing of JonBenét Ramsey triggered in part by a new Netflix documentary, police in Boulder, Colo., refuted assertions this week that there is viable evidence and leads about the 1996 killing of the six-year-old girl that they are not pursuing. JonBenét Ramsey, who competed in beauty pageants, was found dead in the basement of her family's home in the college town of Boulder the day after Christmas in 1996. Her body was found several hours after her mother called 911 to say her daughter was missing and a ransom note had been left behind. The details of the crime and video footage of JonBenét competing in pageants propelled the case into one of the highest-profile mysteries in the United States. The police comments came as part of their annual update on the investigation, a month before the 28th anniversary of her killing. Police said they released it a little earlier due to the increased attention on the case, apparently referring to the three-part Netflix series Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey . In a video statement, Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn said the department welcomes news coverage and documentaries about the killing of JonBenét, who would have been 34 this year, as a way to generate possible new leads. He said the department is committed to solving the case, but needs to be careful about what it shares about the investigation to protect a possible future prosecution. "What I can tell you, though, is we have thoroughly investigated multiple people as suspects throughout the years and we continue to be open-minded about what occurred as we investigate the tips that come into detectives," he said. Cold case gets renewed attention with new doc The Netflix documentary focuses on the mistakes made by police and the "media circus" surrounding the case. In this file photo from 2000, Patsy Ramsey, left, and her husband John Ramsey produce a picture of JonBenét Ramsey during a press conference in Atlanta. The new Netflix documentary alleges that the family were victims of a problematic police force. (Stringer/Reuters) JonBenét was bludgeoned and strangled. Her death was ruled a homicide, but nobody was ever prosecuted for it. Police were widely criticized for mishandling the early investigation into her death amid speculation that her family was responsible. However, a prosecutor cleared her parents, John and Patsy Ramsey, and brother Burke in 2008 based on new DNA evidence from JonBenét's clothing that pointed to the involvement of an "unexplained third party" in her slaying. The announcement by former district attorney Mary Lacy came two years after Patsy Ramsey died of cancer. Lacy called the Ramseys "victims of this crime." John Ramsey has continued to speak out for the case to be solved. In 2022, he supported an online petition asking Colorado's governor to intervene in the investigation by putting an outside agency in charge of DNA testing in the case. In the Netflix documentary, he said he has been advocating for several items that have not been prepared for DNA testing to be tested and for other items to be retested. He said the results should be put through a genealogy database. In recent years, investigators have identified suspects in unsolved cases by comparing DNA profiles from crime scenes and to DNA testing results shared online by people researching their family trees. In 2021, police said in their annual update that DNA hadn't been ruled out to help solve the case, and in 2022 noted that some evidence could be "consumed" if DNA testing is done on it. Last year, police said they had convened a panel of outside experts to review the investigation to give recommendations and determine if updated technologies or forensic testing might produce new leads. In the latest update, Redfearn said that review had ended but that police continue to work through and evaluate a "lengthy list of recommendations" from the panel.

Crypto’s reputation is undergoing a makeover as the sector matures. Driven by regulatory clarity, technological innovation, and a shift toward solving real-world problems — particularly in payments and financial services — the industry’s evolution is coming to reflect a growing synergy between traditional finance and decentralized technologies. As industry observers look to 2025, blockchain technology and stablecoins are emerging as key tools for improving efficiency, transparency, and speed in many operational and commercial areas. The increasing involvement of major financial institutions further emphasizes the transformative potential of these technologies . Ultimately, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: blockchain technology is now a problem-solver with serious business potential. Regulations Shape Crypto Use Cases The U.K.’s Financial Conduct Authority published on Tuesday (Nov. 26) its cryptocurrency regulation roadmap amid growing digital asset ownership and plans to issue its final crypto rules in 2026. The U.K. is working to keep up with the U.S. and Europe in the crypto sector as President-elect Donald Trump is wooing crypto businesses and when the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation is about to be implemented. PYMNTS covered Monday (Nov. 25) how cryptocurrencies, and more specifically their underlying blockchain technologies , have gone from a solution in search of a problem to a solution in hopes of some regulatory clarity. The implications for businesses leveraging these technologies , particularly ones operating internationally, are far-reaching and complex, potentially setting the stage for new norms around business-to-business (B2B) payments and cross-border transactions. With the news Nov. 21 that Mastercard ’s Multi-Token Network (MTN) has connected to J.P. Morgan’s Kinexys Digital Payments to streamline cross-border B2B transactions, leveraging blockchain for better payments is top of mind for B2B firms operating internationally. The integration of the J.P. Morgan blockchain with Mastercard’s capabilities addresses longstanding challenges in B2B payments, including time zone friction, settlement delays and limited transparency. By enabling mutual customers to settle transactions through a single API, the partnership reduces operational complexities and accelerates payment processing across borders. Meanwhile, Cantor Fitzgerald is reportedly seeking support for its planned $2 billion bitcoin lending project from Tether . Bitcoin has reached record highs since the Nov. 5 U.S. presidential election, with traders expecting the crypto sector to benefit from Trump’s support of cryptocurrencies. Read more : This Week in Web3: Understanding Blockchain Solutions for Business Challenges Stablecoins Become Hot Asset News broke Tuesday (Nov. 26) that cryptocurrency exchange Kraken reportedly is shutting down its non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace, saying it will move more resources into new offerings. The company unveiled its NFT marketplace about two years ago, during which time NFTs fell along with the crypto bear market but have not recovered as well as bitcoin and other tokens have. In separate news, it was report here here Nov. 4 that Kraken is part of a consortium of FinTech and crypto companies that introduced a joint stablecoin pegged to the U.S. dollar. The aim of the Global Dollar Network , which also includes Robinhood and Galaxy Digital , is to accelerate the use of stablecoins worldwide and promote an asset that provides proportionate economic benefits to its partners. And stablecoins are on the rise more generally . The market capitalization for the digital, dollar-pegged currencies has jumped 46% this year to a record $190 billion, it was reported Wednesday (Nov. 27). The driving reason? Optimism about their use in cross-border payments. “Blockchain solutions and stablecoins — I don’t like to use the term crypto because this is more about FinTech — they’ve found product-market fit in cross-border payments,” Sheraz Shere , GM payments and commerce at Solana Foundation , told PYMNTS earlier this year. “You get the disintermediation, you get the speed, you get the transparency , you get extremely low cost.” Stripe announced last month plans to purchase stablecoin startup Bridge for $1.1 billion, one of the largest recorded acquisitions of a digital-asset startup. And other traditional finance companies, such as PayPal , have launched stablecoin projects of their own . On Nov. 20, Coinbase Wallet began letting users of its USDC stablecoin earn rewards . Ahead of Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the Holiday Season, PYMNTS took a look at how the loyalty industry is changing due to the integration of blockchain technology .

'But can you see the crease?' is what I always end up asking myself when I ponder the new generation of flip phones. That you can even fold over a screen at all strikes me like something out of science fiction - however, this (admittedly small) section of the smartphone market always came with the slight whiff of gimmick. With this in mind, I looked forward to giving the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 a test drive. It's the top of line when it comes to foldables so if this didn't pass the test nothing would. The Z Flip6 folds horizontally, so in its smallest form it can easily fit into your pocket. When unfolded, you're presented with a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED display that boasts stunning, vivid colours and deep contrasts. The glass is durable, with Corning’s Gorilla Glass Victus 2, and the hinge feels robust and smooth with less resistance, showing that Samsung has worked on refining the fold. You can still see the crease when you open up the screen but once you're watching, say, a video it even in nonmal use you are not going to notice it. When folded, the phone transforms into a compact square shape, easily slipping into pockets or bags. The external 3.4-inch Super AMOLED cover display is functional, allowing for notifications, quick replies, and interactions without unfolding the phone. But more on that later. Under the hood, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset, which, coupled with 8GB of RAM, means it's more than up to the task even if you're a heavy multitasker or gamer. Storage options range from 256GB to 512GB, but there’s no microSD slot, so users need to choose wisely based on their needs. The Z Flip 6 runs on Android 14 with Samsung's One UI, offering a pretty refined experience with useful features like Flex mode, which allows the phone to be partially folded and used hands-free for activities like video calls or watching content. You also get Galaxy AI, which is making a good stab of getting ahead of Apple Intelligence before to arrives and includes features like live translate, circle to search and plenty of camera whiz-bangs. The Flip6 camera comes with the same tech as the Galaxy S24 so you're in good hands with sharp, vibrant photos, especially in well-lit conditions. Battery life is solid, with a 3,700mAh battery that lasts a full day with moderate use, including streaming, gaming, and social media. While it’s not class-leading, it’s on par with other models. The 25W fast charging feature gets you back up to 50% charge in about 30 minutes, although wireless charging is limited to 15W. The Flip6 is IPX8 water-resistant, meaning it can withstand immersion in water up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. However, it’s not dustproof, so care should be taken in dusty environments. Samsung’s continuous improvement in foldable technology has made the hinge more durable, and the device overall feels sturdy in hand. A versatile and powerful foldable smartphone, the Flip6 certainly doesn't feel like a gimmick. The only real disappointment is when the phones is flipped. There's really not much you can do with cover display. I was expecting an Apple Watch-like experience with lots of widgets to play around with but it's a pretty bare cupboard. It's a missed opportunity but I can only imaging that Samsung's promise of seven years of major Android OS updates means there are plans to make more use out of it. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 is a versatile and powerful foldable smartphone, great for users who want a unique blend of portability, style, and performance. The super display, decent camera, and powerful performance make it an appealing choice. However, its price tag remains steep, which may limit its appeal to those who are looking for more traditional smartphones at a lower cost. The Flip6 starts at £1,049 - but you can currently get £250 cashback while Samsung's trade-in deals are always excellent and offer up to £570 on your old device. What users say Poppy: I absolutely love this phone. It looks wonderful and is so easy to use. Very neat to put into my bag. I love the all the extra features. Fantastic value for money. Stuart: The idea of this phone is great. Small so goes in the pocket, small screen on front so dont have to keep opening the phone up. Three weeks ago the USB socket stopped charging. I'm not sure if this is common on this phone but have a read a few threads on these sort of occurrences. Alternatives Motorola Razr 50 Ultra Foldable Smartphone OPPO Find N2 Flip

Space traffic on the brink: Global call for cooperation as Earth’s orbit crowds

Five things to know about QB Brandon Allen, the 49ers’ starter against the Packers this weekendMumbai: A BMW went up in flames recently on Western Express Highway at Vakola, throwing traffic out of gear for two hours. After a massive fire in a car on Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road at another time, the long cooling process forced other vehicles to be held back at a distance owing to safety concerns. Data from Jan-Nov this year shows 839 vehicle breakdowns on the city's streets, which, along with fires in vehicles, become a significant cause of peak-hour congestion, as per traffic police. Cars led the chart with 240 breakdowns, followed by tempos (142) and BEST buses (131). Other buses, including electric ones, trucks, dumpers, cement mixers and tankers, too, were on the list. Electric buses and luxury vehicles that break down pose particular challenges as they require specialised technical teams for removal, causing extensive delays and backlogs. Electric buses typically require two to three hours to be cleared. "In luxury vehicles, even a minor crash or an airbag getting deployed results in the wheels getting locked, requiring manufacturer intervention for removal from the site as standard towing equipment proves ineffective," said a police officer. Nitin Dossa from Western India Automobile Association, India's oldest motoring organisation, criticised dealers and manufacturers for inadequate customer guidance during vehicle sales. "Every vehicle is different and it is essential for drivers to be fully trained in using it. They must know what to do in emergencies. Maintenance of high-end vehicles should always be done at authorised dealers only. Our biggest concern is the safety of children travelling in such vehicles," he said. Commuter advocate Rupesh Shelatkar from Aapli BEST Aaplyachsathi said roughly 10% of BEST buses, particularly wet lease ones, break down during operation. "The primary cause is inadequate bus maintenance. Despite complaints through email and social media, BEST hadn't addressed these issues effectively," he alleged. Shelatkar said while penalties were imposed on contractors for breakdowns, this wasn't an effective resolution. "At least six buses caught fire in the recent past and they had deteriorated seating conditions. Such vehicles will inevitably break down due to insufficient maintenance," he said, while demanding a comprehensive fleet audit. A high-ranking BEST official said breakdowns cannot be prevented given the fleet of under-3,000 buses operating in challenging street conditions. The official said a dedicated quick response team handles such situations. "We operate a control room with wireless communication. Upon receiving a breakdown notification, it immediately alerts all support personnel. A breakdown van is dispatched from the nearest bus depot. A technical team is mobilised. A recovery vehicle is sent if on-site repairs are unfeasible or the bus cannot be restarted." For wet lease vehicles, the contracted private operators maintain their own specialised response teams to address breakdowns. JCP (traffic) Anil Kumbhare said resources were being positioned along major roads to swiftly respond to vehicle breakdowns. Traffic policemen on duty have been equipped with pooling cables to assist in towing stranded vehicles. "I would appeal to commuters to get their vehicles serviced and maintained regularly," said Kumbhare. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , Location Guesser and Mini Crossword .

NATO and Ukraine to hold emergency talks after Russian attack with hypersonic missileSome of the families of 27 activists, who lost their lives in the firing and suicide attack along with former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto on December 27, 2007, have quit the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) due to ignorance of the party's leadership and the respective governments. Some of them have joined the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), while other families are still with the PPP. However, the majority of them have turned away from political activities due to continuous neglect. Anniversary prayers were organised in the homes of these martyred workers. Hamza Raza, the son of late PPP activist Rafiq Raza, whose family left the PPP to join PTI, says the PPP government in 2008 had announced to give plot, job and financial assistance, but failed to fulfil its promise. The PPP's local leadership also forgot his father's sacrifice, they left, he added. Mrs Javed, the wife of martyred Sheikh Javed, also complains of being sidelined despite repeated announcements of financial assistance. Victims' families say the party does not look after them even on Eid days. On the other hand, the families of slain Raja Amin, Siraj Khan, Mumtaz Ahmed, Muhammad Habib and Ghaus families though stand with the PPP but they avoid talking about their 'grievances' openly. The families of the martyrs deplore the non-arrival of any party office-bearer to their graves or to visit their homes for condolences on this death anniversary. They still recognise Bilawal Bhutto Zardari as their leader and declare him the saviour of Pakistan. Muhammad Akhtar Saeed Bappa, Hasnain Ashraf, Mian Altaf Butt, Haji Khalid, Raja Riaz and Uzair Butt, who were injured in the tragedy of December 27, still cry remembering the tragedy and the martyrdom of Benazir Bhutto. Senior PPP leader Nasir Mir claims the families of martyrs have been financially supported by the PPP, but with the passage of time, the PPP should take the responsibility of sponsoring the families of these martyrs. All set for 17th death anniversary Separate anniversary prayer ceremonies will be held in the houses and at the graves of all the martyred workers and their slain leader Benazir Bhutto today (Friday). The families of 27 PPP workers will spend this day remembering their loved ones in grief once again as their wounds become fresh. The preparations for their 17th death anniversary have been going on for the past several days. PPP flags have been hoisted on the houses of these martyrs along with pictures of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Benazir Bhutto and Bilawal Bhutto. The families will once again shed tears in the memory of their loved ones after remembering the terrible incident of the Liaquat Bagh tragedy. The family members of slain PPP activists have started making arrangements three days in advance to recite the Holy Quran, visit their graves and prepare food of their choice on the anniversary. COMMENTS Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive. For more information, please see our